contempt Hear it!

contempt Definition

con·tempt (kən tempt′)

noun

  1. the feeling or attitude of one who looks down on somebody or something as being low, mean, or unworthy; scorn
  2. the condition of being despised or scorned
  3. the punishable act of showing disrespect for the authority or dignity of a court (or legislature), as by disobedience, unruliness, etc.

Etymology: OFr < L contemptus, scorn, pp. of contemnere: see contemn

contempt Synonyms

contempt

n.

  1. A feeling of scorn

    scorn, disdain, derision, slight; see hatred 1, ridicule.

  2. A state of disgrace

    shame, dishonor, stigma; see disgrace 1.

beneath contempt

contemptible, despicable, worthless; see offensive 2.

contempt Law Definition

n

The willful defiance, disregard, or disrespect of judicial or legislative authority or dignity, especially any disobedience of an order or any conduct that disrupts, obstructs, or interferes with the administration or procedures of a court or legislature. See also contemner.
civil contempt
Contempt that consists of the failure to comply with a court order that is issued for another’s benefit. The usual penalty is the daily imposition of a fine or imprisonment until the person in contempt agrees to obey the order.
consequential contempt
See constructive contempt.
constructive contempt
Contempt that occurs outside of a judge’s presence or the immediate vicinity of a courtroom.
criminal contempt
An act or omission that is in disrespect of the court and obstructs its administration or procedures. For example, a party who shouts insults at a judge during a trial would be committing an act of criminal contempt. The usual penalty is a fixed fine or term of imprisonment.
direct contempt
Contempt that occurs openly in the presence of a judge or immediate vicinity of a courtroom.
indirect contempt
See constructive contempt.
purge[ing] contempt
To comply with court order so as to have sentence of contempt lifted.

contempt Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • wither: I can read Islamic extremists who say much the same thing, and deserve the same withering contempt.
  • incite: It will serve only to incite more contempt for the law among drivers who are already plagued with oppressive regulations.
  • breed: Whoever coined the phrase " familiarity breeds contempt " must have gone that route.
  • pour: Many of us have found it hard to " pour contempt on all my pride.
  • conceal: At the domestic level, Manchester United treat the FA, which presides over the national game, with barely concealed contempt.
  • constitute: Failure to comply with such an order could constitute contempt of court.

Adjective modifier

  • utter: We see their contempt, their utter contempt, for innocent life.
  • undisguised: But ever since the coup fiasco, the CIA and the State Department have viewed him with undisguised contempt.
  • everlasting: As Daniel says, there is resurrection of the wicked to shame and everlasting contempt.
  • arrogant: And I felt there was an arrogant contempt for others in the way all the discussion was centered on himself.
  • utmost: Evidently you hold the laws of defamation and the wisdom of libel juries in the utmost contempt.
  • profound: Its profound contempt for international law, science, secularism, and any concern for minimal social welfare at home or abroad is unprecedented.

Modifies a noun

proceeding: The court failed to issue a ruling on prior warning or begin contempt proceedings at any of the hearings.

Noun used with modifier

  • familiarity: Bligh was still less visible to the men, not present in a ' familiarity breeds contempt ' sense.
  • breed: Bligh was still less visible to the men, not present in a ' familiarity breeds contempt ' sense.

Preposition: of

  • court: They made no ruling on the contempt of court or on the prior warning order, which will be allowed to continue.
  • danger: He inspired all with his own contempt of danger.

Preposition: for

  • democracy: The ' contempt for democracy ' is an accurate description.
  • politician: He gives ' the impression of someone with a certain natural contempt for politicians ' .
  • danger: By his prompt action and absolute contempt for danger the whole situation was changed, the men were encouraged and the line swept forward.