Contempt

A strong feeling of disrespect or disdain for someone or something deemed unworthy, or the action of showing such disrespect, especially toward a court or its proceedings.

noun

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Imagine This

Picture a student rolling their eyes at a teacher and muttering under their breath, clearly treating the teacher's ideas as worthless. In a courtroom, imagine a person mocking the judge—an act that could be charged as contempt of court.

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Sounds Like

kun-TEMPT

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Looks Like

Looks similar to 'content' in spelling, but opposite in meaning; contains the root idea of scorn rather than approval.

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Remember This

Contempt can be personal (disdain for a person) or legal (contempt of court). The legal sense is a formal charge for disrespecting the court or obstructing its proceedings.

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Other Forms

contemptuousadjective

contemptuouslyadverb

contemptibilitynoun

contemptiblenessnoun

contemnverb

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Connect With

disdain, scorn, derision, disrespect, contempt of court

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Note

Do not confuse with 'content' or with '-ible' forms like 'contemptible.' Contempt refers to disdain and disrespect, not to worth or value. The adjective form is 'contemptuous'; the adverb is 'contemptuously.'

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Study Deeper

Examples

She spoke with contempt about the plan, calling it a waste of everyone's time.
The lawyer argued that the defendant's remarks demonstrated contempt for the court.

Synonyms

disdainscornderisiondisrespectdisgust

Antonyms

admirationrespectesteem

Etymology

From Latin contemptus, from contemnere 'to despise, scorn' (com- + temnere), through Old French and Middle English. The verb contemn is related in meaning and form.

Mnemonic

Mnemonic: In court, CONTEMPT is what you feel when you condemn the conduct and withhold respect. Picture a judge declaring 'Contempt!' as a person mocks the proceedings.

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Amicable

adjective

Having or showing friendliness; not hostile; relating to or characterized by goodwill and a desire to avoid conflict.

Desecrate

verb

To treat something sacred with disrespect; to profane or violate its sacred character.

Reconcile

verb

To restore friendly relations between people or groups; to settle differences and bring something into harmony or agreement, such as reconciling accounts.