Contemptuously: meaning, definitions and examples

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contemptuously

 

[ kənˈtemptjuəsli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

spoken language

in a scornful way that shows disdain or lack of respect

Synonyms

disdainfully, disrespectfully, scornfully.

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Word Description / Examples
contemptuously

Used when you want to show intense dislike or lack of respect for someone or something. Often indicates a feeling of superiority.

  • He looked at his critics contemptuously, ignoring their comments.
  • She rejected his proposal contemptuously, convinced it was beneath her.
disdainfully

Applied when showing a strong dislike and a sense of superiority. It's often used in more formal situations or when describing an attitude of haughty indifference.

  • She shrugged disdainfully at the offer, feeling it wasn't worth her time.
  • He glanced disdainfully at the messy room, unwilling to clean it.
scornfully

Employed when expressing an attitude of disdain mixed with mockery. It often implies that the person being scorned is considered foolish or inferior.

  • She laughed scornfully at his poor attempt to impress her.
  • He scornfully dismissed the idea, thinking it was not worth considering.
disrespectfully

Used when showing a lack of respect, often towards authority or social norms. This word can carry a negative connotation and is often associated with rude behavior.

  • The student talked disrespectfully to the teacher, who was not pleased.
  • He disrespectfully interrupted the meeting, causing everyone to be annoyed.

Examples of usage

  • She looked at him contemptuously.
  • He spoke contemptuously of her work.
  • She raised her eyebrows contemptuously at his suggestion.

Translations

Translations of the word "contemptuously" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desdenhosamente

🇮🇳 तिरस्कारपूर्वक

🇩🇪 verächtlich

🇮🇩 dengan menghina

🇺🇦 зневажливо

🇵🇱 pogardliwie

🇯🇵 軽蔑的に (けいべつてきに)

🇫🇷 avec mépris

🇪🇸 despectivamente

🇹🇷 aşağılayarak

🇰🇷 경멸적으로 (gyeongmyeoljjeogeuro)

🇸🇦 بازدراء

🇨🇿 pohrdavě

🇸🇰 pohŕdavo

🇨🇳 轻蔑地 (qīngmiè de)

🇸🇮 zaničljivo

🇮🇸 fyrirlitlega

🇰🇿 менсінбей

🇬🇪 დამცინავად

🇦🇿 təhqir edərək

🇲🇽 despectivamente

Etymology

The word 'contemptuously' is derived from the word 'contemptuous', which comes from the Latin word 'contemptuosus', meaning 'scornful' or 'disdainful'. The suffix '-ly' is added to form the adverb 'contemptuously', which means 'in a scornful way'. The use of the word can be traced back to the 16th century, where it was used to describe behavior that showed disdain or lack of respect.

See also: contempt, contemptible, contemptuous.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,572, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.