mépris
/me.pʁi/noun★Intermediate
formal
A feeling of deep disdain or contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior.
Son mépris pour l'autorité était évident.
His contempt for authority was evident.
Elle a exprimé son mépris pour cette décision.
She expressed her contempt for this decision.
💡
Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe strong disdain.
Collocations
avoir du mépristo have contemptmontrer du mépristo show contemptexprimer son mépristo express contempt
Synonyms
Antonyms
💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal
'Mépris' is more formal and literary. In everyday speech, 'dédaignement' or 'aversion' might be more common.
📖Word Origin
From Old French 'mespris', from 'mesprendre' (to misunderstand, despise). Related to Latin 'misprendre' (to take wrongly).
📝Usage Notes
Often used in formal or literary contexts. Can be used to describe feelings toward people, actions, or ideas.
Word Breakdown
mé-
bad, wrong
prefix-pris
taken, seized
rootDictionnaire Français-Anglais