contemn

verb

con·temn kən-ˈtem How to pronounce contemn (audio)

contemned; contemning; contemns

transitive verb

: to view or treat with contempt : scorn

contemner noun

or less commonly contemnor

kən-ˈtem-nər How to pronounce contemn (audio)

-ˈte-mər

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.

Word History

Etymology

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.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

contemn

verb

as in to disdain

to show contempt for arrogant critics who contemn the general public's taste in art

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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.

contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

While the synonyms despise and contemn are close in meaning, despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

despises cowards

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.

disdained popular music

While in some cases nearly identical to contemn, scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.

scorns the very thought of retirement

单词	contemn
释义	contemn verb con·temn kən-ˈtem contemned; contemning; contemns transitive verb : to view or treat with contempt : scorn contemner noun or less commonly contemnor kən-ˈtem-nər -ˈte-mər 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 See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences arrogant critics who contemn the general public's taste in art Recent Examples on the Web Consequently, the Sadrists were contemned and discounted by Iraq’s liberal elite who form the core of the ICP. Benedict Robin, Washington Post, 7 June 2018 Word History Etymology 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. First Known Use 15th century, in the meaning defined above contemn verb as in to disdain* to show contempt for arrogant critics who contemn the general public's taste in art Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance 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 See More 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. contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers While the synonyms despise and contemn are close in meaning, despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing. despises cowards 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. disdained popular music While in some cases nearly identical to contemn, scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt. scorns the very thought of retirement
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contemn

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

verb

Synonym Chooser