Scornful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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scornful

[ˈskɔːnfl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in attitude or tone

Feeling or expressing contempt or derision.

Synonyms

contemptuous, derisive, disdainful, mocking, sneering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scornful	Use in situations where someone shows strong disapproval or disdain for something they believe is worthless or beneath them. She gave him a scornful look when he suggested the ridiculous plan
contemptuous	Appropriate when describing a feeling of deep hatred or lack of respect towards someone or something considered unworthy or inferior. He was contemptuous of the corrupt politicians in power
derisive	Best used when someone is ridiculing or making fun of something in a harsh, critical manner. Her derisive laughter made him feel even more foolish
disdainful	Useful for expressing a feeling of superiority and a lack of respect, often with an air of arrogance. She gave a disdainful glance at the messy room
mocking	Used when someone is imitating or making fun of someone or something in a disrespectful and often humorous way. He spoke in a mocking tone, mimicking her voice
sneering	Best describes a facial expression or tone of voice that shows contempt and a lack of respect, often accompanied by a curled lip. He sneered at the suggestion, clearly unimpressed

Examples of usage

He gave a scornful laugh.
She cast a scornful glance in his direction.
The teacher's scornful tone made the students feel uneasy.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

showing lack of respect

Behaving in a way that shows a lack of respect towards someone or something.

Synonyms

contemptuous, derisive, disdainful, disrespectful, insolent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scornful	This word is used when someone shows a deep and expressive form of hatred or disdain, often with a sense of moral superiority. She gave a scornful look at him after hearing his excuse
disrespectful	Use this when someone is showing a lack of respect in a more general sense, which can include rude or impolite behavior. The student's disrespectful behavior towards the teacher was unacceptable
disdainful	Disdainful is chosen when there’s a sense of superiority and lack of respect without necessarily being vocal. It is more subtle compared to 'scornful.' He dismissed the idea with a disdainful wave of his hand
contemptuous	Use this to describe a person who feels and shows contempt, a stronger form of disdain often tied to the other person's worthlessness or inferiority. His contemptuous remarks about the employees' efforts were demotivating
insolent	This word is applicable for rude, arrogant, and disrespectful behavior, often directly challenging authority. His insolent reply angered the manager
derisive	This word fits when someone mocks or ridicules another in a harsh and hurtful way. Her derisive laughter after his mistake made everyone uncomfortable

Examples of usage

He made a scornful remark about her appearance.
The scornful expression on his face revealed his true feelings.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

Shakespeare frequently employed the term in his plays, often to convey characters' disdainful feelings toward others.
In Jane Austen's works, characters often express scornful feelings, highlighting social class distinctions.
Dante Alighieri depicted scornful characters in his 'Inferno', illustrating the moral consequences of contempt.

Psychology

Feelings of scorn can stem from personal insecurities and often reflect one's need to assert superiority over others.
Research shows that expressing scorn may be a defense mechanism to cope with feelings of inadequacy.
Psychologically, being scornful can isolate individuals, as it alienates others and damages relationships.

Pop Culture

In many movies, villains often display scornful attitudes, emphasizing their disdain for the hero's qualities.
Social media influencers may adopt a scornful tone to mock certain trends, creating a cycle of ridicule online.
In political discourse, scornful comments are common, often leading to polarized debates and conflicts.

Art

Many satirical artists use scornful imagery to critique societal norms, revealing deeper truths about human behavior.
In classical paintings, figures may be depicted with scornful expressions to convey moral lessons or societal critiques.
Contemporary art often embraces scornful themes, showcasing society’s flaws and inviting viewers to reflect on their beliefs.

Origin of 'scornful'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Old French term 'escarn' which means to mock or deride.
Its roots can be traced back to Latin 'excarno', which means to strip of flesh, symbolically linking it to deep disdain.
Scornful has been used in English since the 14th century, indicating a long history of expressing contempt.

The word 'scornful' originated from the Middle English word 'scornfull', which was derived from the Old French word 'escarnful', ultimately stemming from the Latin word 'ex' (out) and 'carus' (dear). Over time, the meaning evolved to convey a sense of contempt or derision towards someone or something.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,747, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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19744 heaviness
19745 segregate
19746 categorize
19747 scornful
19748 flair
19749 magnanimity
19750 coalesce
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