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

Related Words

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