Contempt

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1. Definition + Rich Everyday Explanation

Contempt (noun) = a feeling that someone or something is worthless, beneath respect, or deserving of scorn; complete lack of respect mixed with disgust or disdain.

Contempt is one of the strongest and most damaging negative emotions you can feel toward someone or something. It goes far beyond simple dislike or disagreement. When you feel contempt, you view the target as fundamentally inferior, morally deficient, or unworthy of basic dignity. Contempt combines disgust, superiority, and dismissiveness—you don’t just think someone is wrong; you think they’re beneath you, hardly worth your attention or consideration.

Contempt manifests in facial expressions (the characteristic sneer or eye-roll), tone of voice (dripping with scorn), and behavior (ignoring, mocking, or treating someone as invisible). Psychologists identify contempt as particularly toxic in relationships—research shows it’s one of the strongest predictors of divorce because it erodes the fundamental respect partnerships need to survive.

The word appears in several important contexts. Personal contempt destroys relationships and creates hostile environments. Contempt of court is a legal term for disrespecting judicial authority, punishable by fines or jail. Cultural or social contempt describes looking down on groups, ideas, or ways of life you consider inferior.

Contempt is always negative and carries moral weight. Showing contempt reveals something about your character—it demonstrates arrogance, lack of empathy, and failure to recognize shared humanity. The related adjective is “contemptuous,” and to show contempt is to “hold someone/something in contempt.”

Examples from the street:

• “She looked at him with complete contempt after discovering his lies” → Her expression showed she viewed him as worthless and beneath respect because of his dishonesty
• “The celebrity was held in contempt of court for refusing to testify” → The famous person was legally punished for disrespecting judicial authority and not cooperating
• “He spoke with contempt about people who didn’t attend university” → He expressed scorn and superiority toward those without higher education, viewing them as inferior

2. Most Common Patterns

• hold someone/something in contempt → view with scorn and lack of respect
• show/display contempt for → demonstrate disrespect and disdain toward
• treat with contempt → behave toward someone/something as if worthless
• contempt of court → legal charge for disrespecting judicial authority (fixed legal phrase)
• beneath contempt → so bad it doesn’t even deserve scorn; utterly worthless
• feel contempt for → experience strong disrespect and disgust toward
• look at with contempt / gaze with contempt → express disdain through facial expression

3. Idioms

• familiarity breeds contempt → the more you know someone/something, the more likely you are to lose respect and see flaws

  Example: “They were best friends in college, but familiarity breeds contempt—now they can barely stand each other.”

• beneath contempt → so despicable or worthless that it doesn’t even deserve scorn

  Example: “His behavior toward the homeless was beneath contempt—completely inexcusable.”

4. Example Sentences

1. The politician’s lies led voters to hold him in contempt and refuse to support him again

   → His dishonesty caused the public to view him as worthless and completely unworthy of respect or trust.

2. She couldn’t hide the contempt in her voice when discussing her former business partner

   → Her tone clearly revealed deep disrespect and disgust when talking about her ex-colleague.

3. The judge found the witness in contempt of court for repeatedly ignoring orders

   → The legal authority punished the person testifying for deliberately disrespecting judicial commands.

4. Marriage counselors warn that contempt is one of the most destructive emotions in relationships

   → Relationship experts caution that viewing your partner with scorn and disrespect severely damages partnerships.

5. He treated her opinions with contempt, dismissing everything she said without consideration

   → He behaved as if her views were worthless, rejecting them all without thoughtful engagement.

6. The way she rolled her eyes showed her contempt for the entire discussion

   → Her facial expression clearly communicated she viewed the conversation as beneath her and unworthy of attention.

7. His actions were beneath contempt—stealing from a charity was unforgivable

   → His behavior was so despicable it didn’t even deserve scorn; it was completely inexcusable.

8. The professor’s contempt for students who asked questions created a hostile classroom environment

   → The instructor’s scorn and disrespect toward curious learners made the learning space uncomfortable and toxic.

9. She felt nothing but contempt for people who mistreated animals

   → She experienced only deep disgust and disrespect toward individuals who harmed creatures.

10. The saying “familiarity breeds contempt” explains why some workplace friendships turn sour

    → The proverb about increased exposure leading to disrespect describes why some professional relationships deteriorate.

5. Personal Examples

1. Teachers must avoid showing contempt for students who struggle, even when frustrated by lack of effort

   → Educators must never display scorn toward learners having difficulties, regardless of personal feelings about their dedication.

2. Students sometimes hold certain subjects in contempt without understanding their practical value

   → Learners occasionally view particular academic areas as worthless before recognizing their real-world applications.

6. Register: Formal / Serious

✔ Native usage tips

• “Contempt” is a strong, serious word—it describes one of the most negative emotions possible
• “Contempt of court” is a fixed legal term used in judicial contexts worldwide
• “Hold in contempt” is more formal than “look down on” but means something stronger and more destructive
• Psychologists identify contempt as uniquely toxic—worse than anger or criticism in damaging relationships

✔ Similar expressions / words

• Disdain → similar meaning but slightly less intense; emphasizes looking down on something
• Scorn → very similar; perhaps more focused on mockery and derision than contempt’s disgust
• Disrespect → broader and milder; contempt is an extreme, toxic form of disrespect