disdain

American  

[dis-deyn, dih-steyn] / dɪsˈdeɪn, dɪˈsteɪn /

verb (used with object)

1. to look upon or treat with contempt; despise; scorn.

   Synonyms:

   spurn, contemn

   Antonyms:

   accept

2. to think unworthy of notice, response, etc.; consider beneath oneself.

   to disdain replying to an insult.

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noun

1. a feeling of contempt for anything regarded as unworthy; haughty contempt; scorn.

   Synonyms:

   arrogance, haughtiness

   Antonyms:

   admiration

disdain British  

/ dɪsˈdeɪn /

noun

1. a feeling or show of superiority and dislike; contempt; scorn

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verb

1. (tr; may take an infinitive) to refuse or reject with disdain

Related Words

See contempt.

Other Word Forms

• self-disdain noun
• undisdaining adjective

Etymology

Origin of disdain

First recorded in 1300–50; (for the verb) Middle English disdainen, from Anglo-French de(s)deigner, equivalent to dis- ¹ + deign; noun derivative of the verb

Explanation

If you feel that something isn't worthy of your consideration, you may disdain it (or treat it with disdain). In Old French, deignier meant "to treat something as worthy." To disdain something, then, is to treat it with contempt: "Management at [the company] displayed a certain disdain for safety and appeared to regard safety-conscious workers as wimps in the organization." As a verb, disdain carries an air of self-righteousness not associated with similar words like despise, abhor, detest, loathe and scorn. So if you disdain something, you might reject it with a haughty scoff, "Ha!"

Example Sentences

Everyone hates the Girl Boss, but female founders really were underresourced, and female ambition really was treated with disdain and distrust.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

He has expressed disdain for previous U.S. wars abroad that have devolved into quagmires, promising that the country wouldn’t get bogged down in such conflicts under his leadership.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

That sort of disdain is still present in the industry -- no-alcohol wines still struggle to match their alcoholic equivalents for complexity and taste -- but attitudes are changing fast.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

O’Hara created a perfectly hilarious monster in Moira, from her absurdly over-the-top wardrobe and wigs to her open disdain for their new life.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

Recognizing the public's disdain for the spoils system, he called for a law regulating civil service jobs within the government.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• antipathy
• arrogance
• aversion
• contempt
• derision
• dislike
• hatred
• pride
• ridicule
• scorn