contempt

/kənˈtɛmpt/

strong disdain or scorn

The judge showed contempt for the defendant's dishonesty.

The judge expressed strong disdain for the defendant's dishonesty.

formal

A feeling of intense dislike or scorn for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior.

She held him in contempt for his selfish actions.

She strongly disliked him because of his selfish behavior.

The court held the witness in contempt for lying under oath.

The court punished the witness for lying in court.

Often used in legal contexts to describe disrespect for authority or the court.

Collocations

hold in contemptto regard someone or something with strong disdainshow contemptto express strong disdain openly

In legal contexts, 'contempt' can refer to disrespect for the court or its authority, which may result in punishment.

From Old French 'contempt', from Latin 'contemptus', past participle of 'contemnere' (to scorn, despise).

Often used in formal or legal contexts to describe disrespect for authority or the court. Can also describe a general feeling of strong dislike.

con-

together

prefix

-tempt

to despise

root

English Dictionary