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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

contempt

Noun

IPA /kənˈtempt/

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Meaning in plain English

A strong feeling that someone or something deserves no respect.

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Pronunciation

contempt/kənˈtempt/

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  1. Someone suggests cheating

  2. The listener rejects the idea

  3. They regard it as beneath respect

Contempt is a strong feeling that something or someone deserves no respect.

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  1. She spoke with contempt about people who cheated their friends.
  2. The supervisor's contempt for junior staff damaged the working atmosphere.

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She spoke with ________ about people who cheated their friends.
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contempt — A strong feeling that someone or something deserves no respect.

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A strong feeling that someone or something deserves no respect.

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Word origin

From Latin contemptus, related to contemnere, meaning to despise.

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Common patterns include contempt for someone and treat someone with contempt.

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contempt

/kənˈtempt/ (Noun)

“Contempt is generally uncountable. It is stronger than disagreement or ordinary dislike.”

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