scorn 1 of 2

scorn

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb scorn differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scorn are contemn, despise, and disdain. While all these words mean "to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration," scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.

scorns the very thought of retirement

When might contemn be a better fit than scorn?

The words contemn and scorn can be used in similar contexts, but contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.

contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

Where would despise be a reasonable alternative to scorn?

The synonyms despise and scorn are sometimes interchangeable, but despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

despises cowards

When is disdain a more appropriate choice than scorn?

In some situations, the words disdain and scorn are roughly equivalent. However, disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy.

disdained popular music

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scorn
Noun
The sight of empty seats for the Club World Cup will lead to plenty of scorn, and probably plenty of memes. Adam Crafton, New York Times, 14 June 2025 Some strident Trump supporters did greet his elevation with scorn. Ned Temko, Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2025
Verb
The novel brims with feeling for these figures, who, though scorned by society, belong to it nonetheless. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 26 May 2025 Presumably a runaway, Carol’s disappearance earned her family scorn and erasure. Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for scorn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn
Noun
  • Officials arrested the 55-year-old on Saturday after a Missouri judge held her in contempt of court for dodging court orders regarding $224,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs owed to PETA.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2025
  • The series of photos — and a follow-up Valentine's Day post — were not well-received by Arroyo, who told PEOPLE that Rossi and Smiley barely saw Grayson and all there have been eight contempt of court orders over the years.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • Even Netflix’s content factory is now licensing the very YouTube creators whom audiences once disdained as amateurs.
    Peter Bart, Deadline, 17 July 2025
  • He was torn between disdaining them and entertaining the possibility of getting into that business, which was clearly going to grow with the transition.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2025
Verb
  • On state television, tightly controlled by the Kremlin, Washington’s U-turn on providing weapons to Ukraine has been roundly slated, with President Trump being compared to his presidential predecessor, widely despised in Russia.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 15 July 2025
  • What Gauguin despised was the misapplication of religion, not religion itself.
    Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • There’s a great tradition in sports of being driven by a fear, or a hatred, of that feeling.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • She’s been feeling so much hatred, so much anger, so much sadness, so much disappointment these last few episodes.
    Lynette Rice, Deadline, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Bad sequels often downplay or disrespect themes or messages.
    Lauren Uppal, Mercury News, 22 July 2025
  • In those rankings, Bryant was heavily disrespected and placed at No. 11 on the list.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • We’re overrun by leaders who are psychopaths or sociopaths (people who disregard social norms and the rights of others).
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2025
  • Even now, six months into President Trump’s second term, there’s a tendency to disregard his sometimes fiery rhetoric as mere big talk.
    Thomas Elias, Mercury News, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • As a door-to-door fax machine saleswoman, Sara Blakely hated wearing traditional pantyhose.
    Iain Martin, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • The local media are used to it, but out-of-town media hate the setup.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 22 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorn. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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