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mépris
/me.pʁi/
contempt
Il a montré un mépris total pour les règles.
He showed complete contempt for the rules.
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
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