contempt

con-tempt · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The feeling that a person or thing is worthless or beneath consideration.

  2. 2.

    Disregard for something that should be considered.

  3. 3.

    (Legal) Disobedience or disrespect toward a court.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    contempt of court — willful disobedience of a court order
  • •
    hold in contempt — consider worthless or despicable
  • •
    beneath contempt — too low to deserve contempt
  • •
    familiarity breeds contempt — close association leads to loss of respect

Related words

Antonyms: admiration, esteem, respect
See also: disdain, respect, scorn
Synonyms: derision, disdain, disrespect, scorn

Etymology

From Latin "contemptus" meaning scorn, from "contemnere" (to despise), from "com-" (intensive) and "temnere" (to slight).