contemptuous

[ kuhn-temp-choo-uhs ]

adjective

1. showing or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful; disrespectful.

   Synonyms: haughty, supercilious, arrogant, insolent, disdainful

   Antonyms: respectful

contemptuous

/ kənˈtɛmptjʊəs /

adjective

1. whenpredicative, often foll by of showing or feeling contempt; disdainful

Derived Forms

• conˈtemptuousness, noun
• conˈtemptuously, adverb

Other Words From

• con·temp·tu·ous·ly adverb
• con·temp·tu·ous·ness noun
• half-con·temp·tu·ous adjective
• non·con·temp·tu·ous adjective
• non·con·temp·tu·ous·ness noun
• un·con·temp·tu·ous adjective
• un·con·temp·tu·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contemptuous¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin contemptu-, stem of contemptus “a slighting” ( contempt ) + -ous

Example Sentences

They all relied on former US Army general and Trump chief of staff John Kelly as a primary source for such anecdotes as Trump's contemptuous references to service members as "suckers and losers" and his frequent demands to use the military unconstitutionally.

From Salon

Whatever Trump’s calculus, Vance turned out to be simply Trump times two – another misogynist, another contemptuous culture warrior, another opponent of democracy, another xenophobic and racist vilifier of immigrants,and another isolationist willing to surrender to Putin.

From Salon

A “cuck,” according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is “often used as an insulting and contemptuous term for a man who has politically progressive or moderate views.”

From Los Angeles Times

“It was a pretty negative performance — pretty pessimistic, cynical, contemptuous,” he said on Piers Morgan Uncensored, adding: “And I think that this will cost him, yes.”

From Salon

The 27-year veteran of the agency was obstructive and defensive bordering on contemptuous in answers to questions from members of both parties.

From Salon

Related Words

• condescending
• derisive
• disdainful
• disrespectful
• haughty
• insulting
• scornful