noun / verb
disdain
dis-DAYN/dɪsˈdeɪn/
A feeling that someone or something is beneath respect.
The man regards the cheap trophy with a curled lip of disdain.
Etymology
Reversing 'treat as worthy' gives the judgment that someone or something is unworthy. The noun names the contempt or aversion accompanying that judgment.
In context
So she was a mistress being kept by someone. The sales assistant looked at Shen Yuye with disdain she despised people like that the most.
More examples
- He treats anyone without a college degree with disdain.
- The chef disdains shortcuts that sacrifice flavor.
- They looked at our homemade decorations with disdain.
Forms
disdain · disdains · disdained · disdaining
disdainful adjective — Showing that someone or something deserves no respect.
disdainfully adverb — In a manner showing scornful disrespect.
Similar words
- contempt
- Emphasizes strong disrespect, often without disdain's sense of superiority.
- scorn
- Often suggests openly expressed contempt, especially through ridicule.