disdain

[ dis-deyn, dih-steyn ]

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.

noun

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

   Synonyms: haughtiness, arrogance

   Antonyms: admiration

disdain

/ dɪsˈdeɪn /

noun

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

verb

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

Other Words From

• self-dis·dain noun
• undis·daining adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disdain¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of disdain¹

C13 dedeyne, from Old French desdeign, from desdeigner to reject as unworthy, from Latin dēdignārī; see dis- ¹, deign

Synonym Study

See contempt.

Example Sentences

Musk’s disdain for the government, long apparent, has become a frequent subject of his social media posts since Trump’s election last week.

From Los Angeles Times

Who knows what lies behind Trump’s disdain for our nation’s military?

From Salon

In what would be a blow to the research prowess of the University of California, a Trump White House could reduce federal funding in areas of ideological disdain — climate change, for instance — or tie funding to political goals such as reining in teaching about race.

From Los Angeles Times

Besides, where’s the disdain among Harris supporters for white women, who have sided with Trump in every election along with white men?

From Los Angeles Times

Both lost to the same candidate, a man with less experience in lawmaking and public service but more disdain for women and their rights than any nominee in modern memory.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abhor
• belittle
• deride
• despise
• pooh-pooh
• spurn