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scornful look
/ˈskɔːrnfəl lʊk/
a contemptuous or disdainful expression
She gave him a scornful look when he made the ridiculous suggestion.
She showed contempt or disdain through her facial expression when he made a foolish suggestion.
informal
A facial expression or glance that conveys contempt, disdain, or disapproval.
The teacher shot a scornful look at the student who had just interrupted her.
The teacher expressed disapproval through a contemptuous glance at the disruptive student.
He couldn't help but give a scornful look when his opponent made a weak argument.
He couldn't resist showing disdain through his expression when his opponent made a poor argument.
This phrase is commonly used in literature and everyday conversation to describe a dismissive or contemptuous reaction.
Collocations
give a scornful lookto express contempt through a glanceshoot a scornful lookto direct a contemptuous glance quickly
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
A 'scornful look' is often used to show disapproval without words, so it's useful in storytelling or descriptions of social interactions.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
Using this phrase too frequently can make dialogue or descriptions feel repetitive. Vary your expressions to keep the narrative engaging.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'scornful' (showing contempt) and 'look' (a glance or gaze), emphasizing a dismissive or disapproving expression.
Usage Notes
This phrase is often used in narrative contexts to convey a character's attitude or reaction without explicit dialogue.
Word Breakdown
scornful
showing contempt or disdain
adjectivelook
a glance or gaze
nounEnglish Dictionary