con·tempt

con·tempt
/kənˈtɛmpt/ noun
1 : a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of any respect or approval
[noncount]

He feels that wealthy people view/regard him with contempt because he is poor.

He spoke with contempt in his voice.

She has contempt for them. = She holds them in contempt.

[singular]

She has displayed a profound contempt for her opponents.

2 : a lack of respect for or fear of something that is usually respected or feared
[noncount]

They have acted with contempt for public safety. [=they have completely ignored public safety]

[singular]

He has contempt for danger. [=he ignores danger; he is not afraid of doing things that other people are afraid to do]

3 [noncount] law : speech or behavior that does not show proper respect to a court or judge

She was arrested for contempt of court.

He was held in contempt [=considered by the court to have broken the law by disobeying or disrespecting the judge] for his outbursts during the trial.

: completely bad or worthless
— used to describe someone or something that is too bad to deserve any respect

She's a liar who is beneath contempt.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • con|tempt — «kuhn TEHMPT», noun. 1. the feeling that a person or act is mean and low; despising; scorn: »Most people feel contempt for a cheat. SYNONYM(S): disdain. See syn. under scorn. (Cf. ↑scorn) 2. the condition of being scorned or despised; …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|tempt´i|bly — con|tempt|i|ble «kuhn TEHMP tuh buhl», adjective. 1. deserving contempt or scorn; held in contempt; mean; low: »a contemptible lie. Cowards and cheats are contemptible people. SYNONYM(S): worthless, despicable. 2. Obsolete. full of contempt;… …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|tempt´i|ble|ness — con|tempt|i|ble «kuhn TEHMP tuh buhl», adjective. 1. deserving contempt or scorn; held in contempt; mean; low: »a contemptible lie. Cowards and cheats are contemptible people. SYNONYM(S): worthless, despicable. 2. Obsolete. full of contempt;… …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|tempt|i|ble — «kuhn TEHMP tuh buhl», adjective. 1. deserving contempt or scorn; held in contempt; mean; low: »a contemptible lie. Cowards and cheats are contemptible people. SYNONYM(S): worthless, despicable. 2. Obsolete. full of contempt; scornful.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • con|tempt|i|bil|i|ty — «kuhn TEHMP tuh BIHL uh tee», noun. 1. the quality or state of being contemptible; contemptibleness. 2. Obsolete. contemptuousness …   Useful english dictionary

  • self-con|tempt — «SEHLF kuhn TEHMPT», noun. contempt for oneself: »Perish in thy self contempt! (Tennyson) …   Useful english dictionary

  • con·tempt·ible — …   Useful english dictionary

  • con — con·acre; con·cat·e·nate; con·cave; con·ceal·er; con·ceit; con·cen·trate; con·cen·tra·tor; con·cen·tric; con·cep·tual; con·cern; con·cern·ing; con·cert; con·cer·tante; con·cer·ti·na; con·ces·sion·ary; con·cha; con·cin·nate; con·com·i·tant;… …   English syllables

  • tempt — at·tempt·a·ble; con·tempt·ibil·i·ty; con·tempt·ible; con·tempt·ible·ness; con·tempt·ibly; tempt; tempt·able; tempt·ress; at·tempt; con·tempt; tempt·ing·ly; tempt·ing·ness; un·tempt·ing·ly; …   English syllables

  • contempt — con·tempt …   English syllables

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