'Contemn' definitions:
Definition of 'contemn'
From: WordNet
Definition of 'Contemn'
From: GCIDE
- Contemn \Con*temn"\ (k[o^]n*t[e^]m"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Contemned (-t[e^]md); p. pr. & vb. n. Contemning (-t[e^]m"n[i^]ng or -t[e^]m"[i^]ng).] [L. contemnere, -temptum; con- + temnere to slight, despise: cf. OF. contemner.] To view or treat with contempt, as mean and despicable; to reject with disdain; to despise; to scorn. [1913 Webster]
- Thy pompous delicacies I contemn. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- One who contemned divine and human laws. --Dryden.
- Syn: To despise; scorn; disdain; spurn; slight; neglect; underrate; overlook.
- Usage: To Contemn, Despise, Scorn, Disdain. Contemn is the generic term, and is applied especially to objects, qualities, etc., which are deemed contemptible, and but rarely to individuals; to despise is to regard or treat as mean, unbecoming, or worthless; to scorn is stronger, expressing a quick, indignant contempt; disdain is still stronger, denoting either unwarrantable pride and haughtiness or an abhorrence of what is base. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'contemn'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abhor,
- abjure,
- be above,
- be contemptuous of,
- brush aside,
- care nothing for,
- chuck,
- chuck out,
- contradict,
- decline,
- deny,
- deride,
- despise,
- disapprove,
- discard,
- disclaim,
- discount,
- disdain,
- dismiss,
- disown,
- disparage,
- disprize,
- disregard,
- dump on,
- except,
- exclude,
- feel contempt for,
- feel superior to,
- forswear,
- hold beneath one,
- hold cheap,
- hold in contempt,
- ignore,
- insult,
- look down upon,
- misprize,
- pass by,
- pass up,
- push aside,
- put down,
- rank low,
- rebuff,
- recant,
- refuse,
- refuse to consider,
- reject,
- renounce,
- repel,
- repudiate,
- repulse,
- ridicule,
- scorn,
- scout,
- set at naught,
- shove away,
- sneer at,
- sneeze at,
- sniff at,
- snort at,
- spurn,
- think nothing of,
- throw away,
- throw out,
- turn away,
- turn out,
- waive