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.
nounContempt
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.
nounImagine 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.
Sounds Like
kun-TEMPT
Looks Like
Looks similar to 'content' in spelling, but opposite in meaning; contains the root idea of scorn rather than approval.
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.
Other Forms
Connect With
disdain, scorn, derision, disrespect, contempt of court
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.'