Scornful — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈskȯrn-fəl/ scorn·ful

Meaning & Definition of Scornful

Scornful (adjective)

  1. full of scorn, contemptuous

Scornful (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. feeling or showing open dislike for someone or something regarded as undeserving of respect or concern

    "the actress gave the paparazzi a scornful glare before breezing on by them"

    similar: abhorrent, contemptuous, disdainful
    related: bold-faced, brash, brassy, brazen, cheeky, cocky, discourteous, disrespectful, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, sassy, saucy, arrogant, cavalier, highfalutin, high-handed, high-hat, pretentious, uppish, uppity, haughty, lofty, lordly, prideful, sniffish, snobbish, supercilious, pompous, self-important, superior, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful
    opposite: admiring, applauding, appreciative, approving
    near: deferential, regardful, respectful, accepting, tolerant, courteous, polite

  2. intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value

    "the tenant's complaints were met with the scornful observation that he expected too much for the rent he was paying"

    similar: belittling, contemptuous, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, derisory, derogative, derogatory, detractive, disdainful, disparaging, pejorative, slighting, uncomplimentary
    related: aspersing, calumnious, defamatory, insulting, libelous, maligning, slandering, slanderous, vilifying, abusive, opprobrious, scurrilous, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, unkind, virulent, critical, denunciative, denunciatory, acrimonious, bitter, envious, jaundiced, jealous, rancorous, resentful, acrid, caustic, scathing, venomous
    opposite: commendatory, complimentary, laudative, laudatory
    near: admiring, adulatory, applauding, approving, friendly, positive, appreciative, respectful, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, unmalicious, warm, warmhearted

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Scornful

The most common words with a similar meaning to Scornful:

abhorrent, contemptuous, disdainful, belittling, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, derisory, derogative, derogatory, detractive, disparaging, pejorative, slighting, uncomplimentary

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Scornful

Words with the opposite meaning of Scornful:

admiring, applauding, appreciative, approving, commendatory, complimentary, laudative, laudatory

Related Words for Scornful

bold-faced, brash, brassy, brazen, cheeky, cocky, discourteous, disrespectful, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, sassy, saucy, arrogant, cavalier, highfalutin, high-handed, high-hat, pretentious, uppish, uppity, haughty, lofty, lordly, prideful, sniffish, snobbish, supercilious, pompous

Near Antonyms of Scornful

deferential, regardful, respectful, accepting, tolerant, courteous, polite, adulatory, friendly, positive, kind, kindhearted, kindly, sympathetic, unmalicious, warm, warmhearted

Word Forms of Scornful

Derived words: scornfully (adverb), scornfulness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Scornful

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Scornful

What does "Scornful" mean?

"Scornful" means full of scorn, contemptuous. As an adjective, it is defined as: full of scorn, contemptuous. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Scornful"?

Other words for "Scornful" include abhorrent, contemptuous, disdainful, belittling, decrying, degrading, demeaning and denigrative. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Scornful" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Scornful"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Scornful". Common alternatives include abhorrent, contemptuous, disdainful, belittling, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory and deprecatory.

What is the opposite of "Scornful"?

Antonyms of "Scornful" include admiring, applauding, appreciative, approving, commendatory, complimentary, laudative and laudatory. Near antonyms include deferential, regardful, respectful and accepting.

How do you use "Scornful" in a sentence?

Examples of "Scornful" in a sentence: "the actress gave the paparazzi a scornful glare before breezing on by them"; "the tenant's complaints were met with the scornful observation that he expected too much for the rent he was paying".

Is "Scornful" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Scornful" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Scornful"?

"Scornful" is pronounced /ˈskȯrn-fəl/ and divided into syllables as scorn·ful.

What is the origin of the word "Scornful"?

First known use: 14th century.