26984 words

contempt

4 definitions • 6 examples
1
a strong feeling of disliking and having no respect for someone or something:

Examples:

contempt for At school she had complete contempt for all her teachers.
treat someone/something with contempt You should treat those remarks with the contempt that they deserve.
beneath contempt She's beneath contempt (= I have no respect for her)!
2
to feel contempt for someone or something:

Examples:

I would never hold someone in contempt for making a few mistakes in English.
3
behaviour that is illegal because it does not obey or respect the rules of a law court:

Examples:

The tobacco companies may be guilty of contempt of court for refusing to produce the documents.
4
a strong feeling of lack of respect for someone or something:

Examples:

They were bullies, and they showed contempt for everyone and everything.

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