Definition of contempt
1a : the act of despising : the state of mind of one who despises : disdain glared at him in contemptb : lack of respect or reverence for something acting with contempt for public safety
2 : the state of being despised
3 : willful disobedience to or open disrespect of a court, judge, or legislative body contempt of court
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Examples of contempt in a Sentence
There, in the tall grass and the jungle, many would fall and the rest would return home to endure the sullen contempt of their fellow citizens, all to no purpose. —A. J. Bacevich, Commonweal, 12 Sept. 1997
I even read a mild contempt into this first-name business, comparable to the old habit of calling men Mac, Ace, Chief, or Buddy, or calling women Honey, Sweetie, or Doll. —Aristides, American Scholar, Summer 1996
The same contempt for the poor that suggests kids are better off in orphanages will mobilize resistance to the orphanages themselves. —Katha Pollitt, Nation, 12 Dec. 1994
… they looked with contempt at the bloodless gray arthritic hands of the old woman … —Alice Walker, In Love & Trouble, 1973
He feels that wealthy people view him with contempt because he is poor.
He spoke with contempt in his voice.
She has displayed a profound contempt for her opponents.
She was arrested for contempt of court.
Recent Examples of contempt from the Web
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President Trump just can't seem to keep his general contempt for women from spilling out at every opportunity.
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His Facebook posts for months focused on other people’s bad driving or parking, boasted of driving drunk, and expressed deep contempt for people in general and especially those who abuse animals.
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Moises Bernal, 51, was found in direct criminal contempt last month after his show of approval for one of Judge Vincent Gaughan's decisions.
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Gray spent Father's Day weekend in the Orleans Justice Center jail, after having been arrested early Saturday morning (June 17) on charges of failure to pay child support and contempt of court.
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She was reportedly jailed May 24 for contempt of court after allegedly refusing to say where the infant was.
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Judge Kallon has set a court date for June 21 at 10:30 a.m. and ordered Franklin to show why she should not be held in contempt.
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His tone was unfailingly incredulous, squeaking with disbelief and contempt.
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In 2014, the court, not satisfied with lawmakers’ progress, held the state in contempt.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contempt'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of contempt
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin contemptus, from contemnere —see contemn
CONTEMPT Defined for English Language Learners
contempt
playDefinition of contempt for English Language Learners
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: a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of any respect or approval
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: a lack of respect for or fear of something that is usually respected or feared
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law : speech or behavior that does not show proper respect to a court or judge
CONTEMPT Defined for Kids
contempt
playDefinition of contempt for Students
1 : a feeling of disrespect or disapproval of something or someone It amused him that she pretended such contempt for him and yet condescended to show off … — Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain
2 : the state of being despised He holds them in contempt.
3 : lack of proper respect for a judge or court He was fined for contempt of court.
Law Dictionary
contempt
playLegal Definition of contempt
1 : willful disobedience or open disrespect of the orders, authority, or dignity of a court or judge acting in a judicial capacity by disruptive language or conduct or by failure to obey the court's orders; also : the offense of contempt —called also contempt of court civil contempt : contempt that consists of disobedience to a court order in favor of the opposing party Editor's note: The sanctions for civil contempt end upon compliance with the order. constructive contempt : indirect contempt in this entry criminal contempt : contempt consisting of conduct that disrupts or opposes the proceedings or power of the court Editor's note: The sanctions for criminal contempt are designed to punish as well as to coerce compliance. direct contempt : contempt committed in the presence of the court or in a location close enough to disrupt the court's proceedings indirect contempt : contempt (as disobedience of a court order) that occurs outside of the presence of the court
2 : willful disobedience to a lawful order of or willful obstruction of a legislative body in the course of exercising its powers contempt of Congress
in contempt
: in the state of having been found guilty of contempt refused to testify and were held in contempt — A. M. Dershowitz
Learn More about contempt
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See words that rhyme with contempt Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for contempt Spanish Central: Translation of contempt Nglish: Translation of contempt for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of contempt for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about contempt
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