contemn

C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes

US /kənˈtɛm/ UK /kənˈtɛm/ See IPA manual

verb

Meanings

1

verb
to treat or regard with contempt; despise

The philosopher contemned the empty flattery of the court.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to treat or regard with... despise scorn disdain spurn slight disregard flout

Opposites

esteem respect honor admire revere

Word family

Derived forms contemnercontemnible

Related forms contempt contemptible contemptuous contumely

Etymology

From Latin contemnere ('to despise, scorn'), from con- (intensive) + temnere ('to slight, scorn'). The silent -n reflects the Latin spelling.

contemnere Latin temnere Latin

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Actions & Processes

# contemn

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** kənˈtɛm
**IPA (UK):** kənˈtɛm

## Meanings
1. to treat or regard with contempt; despise

## Examples
- The philosopher contemned the empty flattery of the court.

## Synonyms
- despise
- scorn
- disdain
- spurn
- slight
- disregard
- flout

## Antonyms
- esteem
- respect
- honor
- admire
- revere

## Derived Forms
- contemner
- contemnible

## Related Forms
- contempt
- contemptible
- contemptuous
- contumely

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: contemnere
- Root: temnere

## Etymology
From Latin contemnere ('to despise, scorn'), from con- (intensive) + temnere ('to slight, scorn'). The silent -n reflects the Latin spelling.

## AI Etymology
Contemn is from Latin contemnere ('to despise, scorn'), from con- (intensive) + temnere ('to slight, scorn'). The silent -n reflects the Latin spelling. In present-day use, it means to treat or regard with contempt; despise. Derived formations include contemner and contemnible. Related vocabulary includes contempt, contemptible, contemptuous, and contumely.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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contemn

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