contemn

Meaning

1. (archaic, transitive) To disdain; to value at little or nothing; to treat or regard with contempt.
2. To commit an offence of contempt, such as contempt of court; to unlawfully flout (e.g. a ruling).

Synonyms

despise

scorn

disdain

disrespect

slight

look down on

disregard

hold in contempt

snub

ill-treat

insult

look down upon

oppress

persecute

refuse

reproach

spite

spurn

set at nought

turn down

vilipend

think nothing of

abhor

regard as worthless

belittle

censure

criticize

decline

degrade

detest

flout

humiliate

Translations

mépriser

😡

verachten

disprezzare

despreciar

περιφρονώ

desprezar

menospreciar

desdenyar

dédaigner

sprezzare

disdegnare

desdenhar

dédain

ausschlagen

μουρτζουφλώ

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kənˈtɛm/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: contempnen

In summary

From Middle English contempnen, from Old French contemner, from Latin contemnō (“to scorn”). See also contempt.