contemn C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes US /kənˈtɛm/ UK /kənˈtɛm/ See IPA manual 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... despisescorndisdainspurnslightdisregardflout ↔ Opposites esteemrespecthonoradmirerevere Word family Derived forms contemnercontemnible Related forms contemptcontemptiblecontemptuouscontumely Etymology AI details From Latin contemnere ('to despise, scorn'), from con- (intensive) + temnere ('to slight, scorn'). The silent -n reflects the Latin spelling. contemnere Latin temnere Latin View etymology graph -> Topics Actions & Processes External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # 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 markdown