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scorn

/skɔːrn/
noun, verb★Intermediate— contemptuous disdain
formalinformal

Contemptuous disdain or derision for someone or something regarded as unworthy.

The critic's scorn for the amateur performance was evident in his review.

The critic clearly showed his contempt for the performance.

He scorned the idea of compromise, believing it was a sign of weakness.

He rejected the idea of compromise with strong disdain.

💡

Often used to express strong negative feelings of superiority over someone or something.

Collocations

scornful looka look showing contemptscorned loversomeone who has been rejected with contemptscorn the ideareject an idea with contempt

Synonyms

contemptderisiondisdainscoffridicule

Antonyms

admirationrespectapprovalpraise

Related Phrases

scorn the worldphrase
to reject conventional values or society
scorn for scornphrase
to respond to contempt with contempt

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use 'scorn' to express strong disdain, often in formal or literary contexts.

⚡Gold Rule

Verb vs. Noun

'Scorn' can be both a noun and a verb. As a verb, it means to reject with contempt; as a noun, it refers to the feeling of contempt itself.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English *scornen*, from Old French *escarnir*, from Latin *ex-* (out) + *carn-* (flesh), originally meaning 'to tear flesh off' (as a punishment).

📝Usage Notes

Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe strong negative emotions. Can be used as a noun or verb.

Word Breakdown

scorn
contempt or derision
root
English Dictionary

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