contempt
gb/kəntˈɛmpt/ us/kəntˈɛmpt/
B2
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
Strong dislike and disrespect
A strong feeling that you do not respect someone or something and think they are not worth your attention.
Usage pattern:
to feel [contempt] for [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'contempt' with 'content' due to similar spelling, but the meanings are unrelated.
Synonyms
disdain (Slightly more formal and literary; often interchangeable but may suggest a cooler, more detached attitude.)
|
scorn (Carries a sharper, more openly insulting tone than 'contempt'.)
Antonyms
respect (Represents positive regard and admiration, the opposite of contempt.)
|
admiration (Implies positive recognition of worth, directly opposed to contempt's negative judgment.)
Collocations
hold in contempt
|feel contempt for
|treat with contempt
|look of contempt
|express contempt
Themes
emotions
|social
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She looked at him with open contempt after his rude remark.
- The politician spoke with contempt about his opponent's policies.
- His contempt for authority got him into trouble at work.
- They treated the safety rules with complete contempt.
- Contempt for the law can lead to serious consequences.
Learner examples
- She felt contempt for the thief.
- He spoke with contempt about the idea.
- I saw contempt in her eyes.
- They showed contempt for the rules.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
2
Disobedience to a court
Breaking the rules of a court or showing no respect to a judge or court.
Usage pattern:
to be in [contempt of court]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'contempt of court' is about having a bad opinion of the court; it is actually about disobedience or disrespect in legal proceedings.
Synonyms
defiance (In legal context, refers to open resistance to authority; broader than contempt of court.)
Antonyms
compliance (Following rules or orders, the opposite of contempt in legal settings.)
Collocations
held in contempt
|contempt of court
|found in contempt
Themes
law
|justice
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The witness was held in contempt for refusing to answer questions.
- He faced charges of contempt of court after shouting at the judge.
- Contempt of court can result in fines or jail time.
Learner examples
- The man was in contempt of court.
- She was held in contempt for not speaking.
- He went to jail for contempt of court.
Grammar
Dictionary form
contempt
IPA
GB/kəntˈɛmpt/
US/kəntˈɛmpt/
Syllables & stress
con - tempt (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tempt)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: contempt
- Plural: contempt
Word family
Core family
Advanced or less common
contemptibly
adverb
Expressions
contempt of court
1/kəntˈɛmpt əv kˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
formal
Legal offense against a court
When someone breaks the rules or shows no respect in a court of law.
Examples
- The journalist was fined for contempt of court after publishing restricted information.
- Refusing to testify can lead to a charge of contempt of court.
hold in contempt
1/hˈoʊld ˈɪn kəntˈɛmpt/
fixed phrase
Have strong disrespect for someone/something
To strongly dislike and have no respect for someone or something.
Examples
- Many citizens hold corrupt politicians in contempt.
- He openly holds his former boss in contempt.
treat with contempt
1/tɹˈit wˈɪθ kəntˈɛmpt/
fixed phrase
Act toward without respect
To act towards someone or something as if they are not important or not worth respect.
Examples
- They treated the safety regulations with contempt, ignoring all warnings.
- She treated his advice with open contempt.