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  1. Home /
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  3. English Dictionary /
  4. scorn the world

scorn the world

/skɔːrn ðə wɜːrld/
reject or disdain worldly values

After years of corporate greed, he decided to scorn the world and live simply.

He rejected materialistic values and chose a minimalist lifestyle.


◆ What It Really Means
Rejecting societal values or materialism as a philosophical stance.
¶ Literal Meaning
To express contempt toward the entire world.
Literal Breakdown
scornto express contempt+the worldthe planet or society
◇ Mental Image
A person turning away from society or material possessions, often with a sense of defiance or spiritual conviction.
◈ When to Use
A person who quits their high-paying job to live in solitude, rejecting consumerism and social expectations.
◉ Cultural Note
This phrase reflects themes found in philosophy, religion, and literature, where individuals reject worldly attachments for higher ideals.
literary

To reject or disdain the values, norms, or ways of the world, often as a form of protest or personal philosophy.

The monk scorned the world and devoted himself to meditation.

He rejected worldly attachments and focused on spiritual practice.

Her art was a way to scorn the world and its superficiality.

She used her work to critique societal shallowness.

This phrase often implies a rejection of materialism, social norms, or conventional wisdom.

Collocations

scorn the world and its waysreject societal norms and values

Synonyms

reject the worldrenounce the worlddisdain society

Antonyms

embrace the worldaccept societyconform to norms

Related Phrases

renounce the worldphrase
to formally reject worldly attachments, often for religious or philosophical reasons
disdain the worldphrase
to look down on or reject societal values

Pro Tip

Literary Context

This phrase is more common in literature, philosophy, or deep discussions about life choices.

Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

This phrase is strong and dramatic; use it sparingly to maintain impact.

Word Origin

The phrase combines 'scorn' (contempt or disdain) with 'the world' (society or material existence), reflecting a long-standing literary and philosophical theme of rejecting worldly attachments.

Usage Notes

This phrase is often used in literary or philosophical contexts to describe a deliberate rejection of societal values or materialism. It can also imply a sense of disillusionment or protest.

Word Breakdown

scorn
contempt or disdain
root
+
the world
society or material existence
phrase
English Dictionary
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