Contemn: alternatives and connections

Begin with the reviewed alternatives, then explore broader connections without treating every related word as an automatic substitute.

Try an example: important law show help change happy

26,102 words currently have published synonym-style alternatives

90,593 searchable synonym connections

350,924 published thesaurus relationships of every type

Start with the meaning

Contemn

To view or treat with contempt, as mean and despicable; to reject with disdain; to despise; to scorn.

View the full dictionary entry Compare this word with another →

44 useful connections shown 5 reviewed relationships and 39 broader connections.

Best place to begin

Reviewed alternatives and contrasts

These links were deliberately created. Use the interchangeability score and guidance to judge whether a word will work in your sentence.

Broader term 2

Detest 76% connected

To witness against; to denounce; to condemn.

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words

Hate 76% connected

To have a great aversion to, with a strong desire that evil should befall the person toward whom the feeling is directed; to dislike intensely; to de…

oewn 2023 0% interchangeable

Open English WordNet identifies the related term as a broader lexical category for at least one sense.

Definition Compare both words

Synonym 3

Despise 92% connected

To look down upon with disfavor or contempt; to contemn; to scorn; to disdain; to have a low opinion or contemptuous dislike of.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words

Disdain 92% connected

A feeling of contempt and aversion; the regarding anything as unworthy of or beneath one; scorn.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words

Scorn 92% connected

Extreme and lofty contempt; haughty disregard; that disdain which springs from the opinion of the utter meanness and unworthiness of an object.

oewn 2023 68% interchangeable

Open English WordNet places these words in at least one shared synset. They share a lexicalised sense, but context, register and collocation should still be checked before substitution.

Definition Compare both words

Explore further

Words connected by meaning

Their definitions overlap or refer to similar ideas. Use these to widen your search, then compare the exact meanings.

All dictionary tools

Explore Academic Dictionary

The same nine destinations available from the header menu are shown here as a clear, fully visible grid.