English Dictionary
Definition of “contumely”
contumely (ˈkɒntjʊmɪlɪ
)
Definitions
noun
- scornful or insulting language or behaviour
- a humiliating or scornful insult
Alternative Forms
contumelious (ˌkɒntjʊˈmiːlɪəs) adjective ˌcontuˈmeliously adverb ˌcontuˈmeliousness noun Word Origin
C14: from Latin contumēlia invective, from tumēre to swell, as with wrath
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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scorn,
abuse,
insult,
contempt,
humiliation,
arrogance,
disdain,
affront,
indignity,
derision,
rudeness,
opprobrium,
insolence,
obloquy,
superciliousness,
Usage examples
Mr Clark may have gone but his spirit of umbrage and contumely lives on, as does his obsession with leadership contests.
Times, Sunday Times (2002)Chamberlain and his men, for their part, were not to be treated with contumely : they would come again.
Simon Ball, THE GUARDSMEN (2004)
