English Dictionary

Definition of “contemptuous

contemptuous (kənˈtɛmptjʊəsPronunciation for contemptuous

Definitions

adjective

  1.  when predicative, often foll by of showing or feeling contempt; disdainful

Alternative Forms

conˈtemptuously adverb conˈtemptuousness noun

Usage examples

  • I thought of the man, half-hidden by the door, his dark surly face, the contemptuous jerk of the head.
    Malcolm, John, The Gwen John Sculpture (1985)
  • As Cornwell observes,'the language of faction is getting ever more aggressive, contemptuous and threatening'.
    Spiked (2002)
  • Great for ratings, maybe, but utterly contemptuous of viewers.
    Courier, Sunday Mail (2004)
  • The last thing we need is more ways to divide the next generation into contemptuous factions.
    Times, Sunday Times (2001)
  • Of course, the Nazis were in their own way every bit as contemptuous of the masses in the democratic sense.
    Blinkhorn, Martin (ed), Fascists and Conservatives (1990)

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