contemn
verb
transitive verb
Did you know?
Contemn is derived from the Latin verb contemnere, a word formed by combining con- and temnere ("to despise"). Surprisingly, our verb may have come within a hair's breadth of being spelled "contempn." The Middle French word contempner arrived in Middle English as "contempnen," but that extra "p" disappeared, leaving us with "contemn." You may be wondering about the connection between "contemn" and "contempt," and not surprisingly, they are related. "Contempt" comes from Latin contemptus, which comes from "contemnere." "Contemn" first turned up in print in the 15th century; "contempt" dates from the 14th century.
Synonyms
- dis [slang]
- diss
- disdain
- disrespect
- high-hat
- look down (on or upon)
- scorn
- slight
- sniff (at)
- snoot
- snub
Example Sentences
Benedict Robin, Washington Post, 7 June 2018 Word History
Middle English contempnen "to slight, spurn," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contempner "to despise, disdain," borrowed from Latin contemnere "to look down on , show no respect for, despise," from con- con- + temnere "to scorn, despise," of uncertain origin
Note: The verb temnere is probably back-derived from contemnere, which is older and better attested. A comparison has been suggested with the Indo-European verb base *temh1- "cut," for which Greek also offers an n-present formation in támnein, témnein (see tome), though the semantic link is vague ("cut" > "cut off" > "shun" > "spurn, disdain"?). An older proposed link is with Greek stémbein "to shake about, handle roughly," supposedly comparable with Germanic *stampōn-/*stambōn- "to stamp, trample" (see stamp entry 1), but *stemb- is scarcely an unimpeachable Indo-European root.
15th century, in the meaning defined above
contemn
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- disdain
- disrespect
- despise
- hate
- scorn
- walk over
- diss
- sneeze at
- snub
- abominate
- abhor
- detest
- scout
- snoot
- dis
- execrate
- loathe
- slight
- deplore
- look down (on or upon)
- deprecate
- disparage
- belittle
- sniff (at)
- discountenance
- thumb one's nose (at)
- look down one's nose (at)
- high-hat
- disfavor
- disapprove (of)
- frown (on or upon)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- respect
- honor
- cherish
- treasure
- admire
- value
- esteem
- prize
- revere
- venerate
- accept
- worship
- countenance
- appreciate
- lionize
- approve (of)
- care (for)
- favor
- subscribe (to)
- okay
- hallow
- OK
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of contemn are despise, disdain, and scorn. While all these words mean "to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration," contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.
While the synonyms despise and contemn are close in meaning, despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.
The words disdain and contemn can be used in similar contexts, but disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy.
While in some cases nearly identical to contemn, scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.