contemn Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb look down on with disdain
scorn; despise; disdain.
- He despises the people he has to work for
- The professor scorns the students who don't catch on immediately

L. contemnere, -temptum; con- + temnere to slight, despise: cf. OF. contemner.

imperfect & past participle Contemned ; present participle & verbal noun Contemning

To view or treat with contempt, as mean and despicable; to reject with disdain; to despise; to scorn.
Thy pompous delicacies I contemn. Milton.

One who contemned divine and human laws. Dryden.
Syn. -- To despise; scorn; disdain; spurn; slight; neglect; underrate; overlook. -- 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.