Contempt meaning

kən-tĕmpt'
The definition of contempt is a feeling of scorn towards another person or an act showing disrespect for someone or something.

An example of contempt is the feeling that someone has for a person who stole her precious jewelry.

noun
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The condition of being despised or scorned.
noun
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3
The feeling or attitude of one who looks down on somebody or something as being low, mean, or unworthy; scorn.
noun
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4
Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.
noun
13
5
The state of being despised or dishonored.

Was held in contempt by his former friends.

noun
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4
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The state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace.
noun
4
1
(law) Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.
noun
3
1
The feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn.
noun
3
2
The punishable act of showing disrespect for the authority or dignity of a court (or legislature), as by disobedience, unruliness, etc.
noun
2
1
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.
noun
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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.
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1
See constructive contempt.
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1
Contempt that occurs outside of a judge’s presence or the immediate vicinity of a courtroom.
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1
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.
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1
Contempt that occurs openly in the presence of a judge or immediate vicinity of a courtroom.
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To comply with court order so as to have sentence of contempt lifted.
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(uncountable) The state of contemning; the feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn, disdain.
noun
1
1
See constructive contempt.
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2
beneath contempt
  • Unworthy even to be despised.
idiom
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0

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

beneath contempt

Origin of contempt

  • Middle English from Latin contemptus past participle of contemnere to despise contemn
    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
  • From Latin contemptus (“scorn”), from contemnere (“to scorn, despise”), from com- + temnere (“to despise”).
    From Wiktionary

Contempt Sentence Examples

  • He will be charged with contempt of court.

  • We were prepared for contempt proceedings at any of the hearings.

  • Her partiality for him increased as her contempt and hatred of Darnley became more confirmed.

  • They held a contempt for politicians.

  • He was a stuntman; but, he held a contempt of danger.

More sentences →

Also Mentioned In

Words near contempt in the Dictionary