contempt
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of CONTEMPT
1
:
a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of any respect or approval
[noncount]
-
He feels that wealthy people view/regard him with contempt because he is poor.
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He spoke with contempt in his voice.
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She has contempt for them. = She holds them in contempt.
[singular]
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She has displayed a profound contempt for her opponents.
2
:
a lack of respect for or fear of something that is usually respected or feared
[noncount]
-
They have acted with contempt for public safety. [=they have completely ignored public safety]
[singular]
-
He has a contempt for danger. [=he ignores danger; he is not afraid of doing things that other people are afraid to do]
3
[noncount]
law
:
speech or behavior that does not show proper respect to a court or judge
-
She was arrested for contempt of court.
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He was held in contempt [=considered by the court to have broken the law by disobeying or disrespecting the judge] for his outbursts during the trial.
beneath contempt
:
completely bad or worthless
— used to describe someone or something that is too bad to deserve any respect
-
She's a liar who is beneath contempt.
