Disdain: meaning, definitions and examples

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disdain

[dɪsˈdeɪn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt.

Synonyms

contempt, disregard, disrespect, scorn.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disdain	Appropriate when you want to express a feeling of superiority and a lack of respect towards someone or something. She looked at the messy room with disdain. His voice was filled with disdain when he spoke about the new policies.
contempt	Used to show a deep sense of disapproval and lack of respect towards someone, often with an implication of viewing them as inferior. It's often more intense than 'disdain'. He felt nothing but contempt for the corrupt politician. Her contempt for his behavior was evident in her frown.
scorn	Best for expressing strong feelings of disdain mixed with a sense of superiority or moral judgment. It often implies looking down on someone with a severe lack of respect. She spoke with scorn about their outdated traditions. He couldn't hide his scorn for those who cheat and lie.
disrespect	Used explicitly to describe actions or attitudes that show a lack of respect towards someone or something. It's direct and often carries a negative connotation. The student's disrespect towards the teacher was shocking. He was fired for his repeated acts of disrespect in the workplace.
disregard	Applies when showing a lack of consideration or attention towards someone or something. It can be unintentional or deliberate but isn’t always accompanied by disrespect. He showed a blatant disregard for the rules. Her disregard for her own health was troubling.

Examples of usage

He regarded the suggestion with disdain.
She showed disdain for his opinion.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

action

To regard or treat with haughty contempt; to scorn.

Synonyms

despise, look down on, reject, snub.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disdain	When you want to express a strong feeling of dislike or lack of respect for someone or something, due to them being seen as inferior or unworthy. She looked at the messy room with disdain. He spoke with disdain about the latest policy changes.
despise	Use in situations where you have intense hatred and repulsion towards someone or something. I despise dishonesty in any form. She despises her ex-boyfriend for cheating on her.
look down on	Used when indicating that someone believes they are better than someone else. Common in everyday language and less formal than 'disdain' or 'despise'. She tends to look down on people who don't have a college degree. It's not right to look down on someone just because they have less money.
snub	Typically used when someone deliberately ignores or acts coldly towards another, often in a social setting. She snubbed him at the party, refusing to acknowledge his presence. The manager's snub was evident when he didn't invite certain team members to the meeting.
reject	Appropriate in situations where you refuse to accept, consider, or submit to someone or something. The company decided to reject the job applicant. He felt hurt when she rejected his friendship offer.

Examples of usage

She disdained his offer of help.
He disdained to answer her question.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'dīsspectare', meaning 'to look down upon'.
In Middle English, it was spelled 'disdeyn', showing its evolution in language over time.
The prefix 'dis-' signifies negation, while the root 'dain' relates to worth, indicating contempt.

Literature

Shakespeare often used the term to express characters' feelings of superiority, highlighting societal judgments.
In Jane Austen’s works, disdain for social class differences generates tension between characters.
Disdain is a common theme in poetry, often illustrating the gap between aspiration and reality.

Psychology

Experiencing disdain can indicate deep-seated insecurities or a desire for social dominance.
Disdain often manifests in body language, like crossing arms or rolling eyes, reflecting inner judgments.
It's linked to feelings of superiority, which can create barriers in relationships or prevent empathy.

Pop Culture

Popular characters in films often display disdain as a sign of villainy, establishing them as antagonists.
In music, lyrics frequently express disdain towards societal norms, connecting with listeners' frustrations.
Reality TV shows often amplify disdain, showcasing rivals and their conflicts to engage audiences.

Philosophy

Philosophers like Nietzsche explored disdain as a response to societal values, arguing it contributes to personal authenticity.
Ethics discussions often debate the morality of disdain, questioning whether it's justified in critical judgments.
Existentialists might view disdain as a rejection of superficiality, encouraging deeper, more authentic connections.

Translations

Translations of the word "disdain" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desdém

🇮🇳 घृणा

🇩🇪 Verachtung

🇮🇩 penghinaan

🇺🇦 презирство

🇵🇱 pogarda

🇯🇵 軽蔑 (けいべつ)

🇫🇷 mépris

🇪🇸 desdén

🇹🇷 aşağılama

🇰🇷 경멸 (gyeongmyeol)

🇸🇦 ازدراء

🇨🇿 pohrdání

🇸🇰 pohŕdanie

🇨🇳 蔑视 (mièshì)

🇸🇮 prezir

🇮🇸 fyrirlitning

🇰🇿 менсінбеушілік

🇬🇪 ზიზღი

🇦🇿 nifrət

🇲🇽 desdén

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,487, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
12484 ply
12485 renounce
12486 latch
12487 disdain
12488 pathogenic
12489 suburb
12490 blinded
...