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⇱ contemptuous - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

contemptuous

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/kənˈtɛmptʃuəs/

US:USA pronunciation: IPAUSA pronunciation: IPA/kənˈtɛmptʃuəs/

US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(kən temp′cho̅o̅ əs)



WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
con•temp•tu•ous /kənˈtɛmptʃuəs/USA pronunciation   adj. 
  1. showing or expressing contempt;
    scornful:contemptuous of those below him.
con•temp•tu•ous•ly, adv. 
con•temp•tu•ous•ness, n. [uncountable]
    contemptuous refers to a person or thing that shows contempt: a contemptuous look (= the look on the face shows the person's contempt). contemptible refers to the act or deed that is bad and dishonorable and that deserves our contempt:contemptible cowardice (= cowardice that deserves our contempt).
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
con•temp•tu•ous  (kən temp′cho̅o̅ əs),USA pronunciation adj. 
  1. showing or expressing contempt or disdain;
    scornful.
  • Latin contemptu-, stem of contemptus contempt + -ous
  • 1520–30
con•temp′tu•ous•ly, adv. 
con•temp′tu•ous•ness, n. 
    disdainful, sneering, insolent, arrogant, supercilious, haughty.
    respectful.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
contemptuous /kənˈtɛmptjʊəs/ adj
  1. when predicative, often followed by of: showing or feeling contempt; disdainful
conˈtemptuously adv
'contemptuous' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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