SCORN Synonyms: 151 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'scorn' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scorn are contemn , despise , and disdain . While all these words mean "to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration," scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt. // scorns the very thought of retirement

Q: When might 'contemn' be a better fit than 'scorn'?

The words contemn and scorn can be used in similar contexts, but contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious. // contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

Q: Where would 'despise' be a reasonable alternative to 'scorn'?

The synonyms despise and scorn are sometimes interchangeable, but despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing. // despises cowards

Q: When is 'disdain' a more appropriate choice than 'scorn'?

In some situations, the words disdain and scorn are roughly equivalent. However, disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy. // disdained popular music

scorn 1 of 2

noun

ˈskȯrn

Definition of scorn

as in contempt

open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect has nothing but scorn for newfangled ideas of any kind

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

scorn

2 of 2

verb

ˈskȯrn

as in to disdain

to show contempt for scorned the religious traditions of their ancestors

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in to despise

to ignore in a disrespectful manner she scorned the advice of her ophthalmologist and had the laser eye surgery anyway

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb scorn differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of scorn are contemn, despise, and disdain. While all these words mean "to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration," scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.

scorns the very thought of retirement

When might contemn be a better fit than scorn?

The words contemn and scorn can be used in similar contexts, but contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.

contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

Where would despise be a reasonable alternative to scorn?

The synonyms despise and scorn are sometimes interchangeable, but despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

despises cowards

When is disdain a more appropriate choice than scorn?

In some situations, the words disdain and scorn are roughly equivalent. However, disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy.

disdained popular music

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of scorn

Noun

Few governance structures elicit such scorn from governance theorists. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026 Some authors, librarians, and miscellaneous posters were outraged that Barnett would pour scorn on the very field that he is officially tasked with championing. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 12 June 2026

Verb

The season ended with Beth and Rip’s adopted son Carter (Finn Little) being abducted by the family that Beulah scorned when going into business with the infamous Beth Dutton. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026 That lineage become a source of attention and scorn for the 33-year-old first time candidate, who created what critics called out as a sometimes outlandish social media personality to generate attention. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for scorn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn

Noun

Because if the objection were simply to wealth, consumerism, vanity, or profiting from attention, our contempt would be distributed much more evenly.

— Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
This behavior by a defendant is not permitted in court and is often grounds for removal from the courtroom or a contempt-of-court charge.

— Dr. Susan Hatters Friedman, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of contempt

Verb

Although the Constitution requires congressional involvement in war-making, Trump like Nixon disdained that mandate with terrible consequences.

— Elizabeth Holtzman, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026
Most telling is how openly Stassi disdains the idea of therapy, even insisting to the horror of pretty much everyone else onscreen that forcing hard conversations on reality TV is her therapy.

— Caroline Framke, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of disdain

Noun

Hong Kong authorities defend the verdict Hong Kong leader John Lee said the alliance has long deliberately planted seeds of hatred against the party and the central government in society, and their acts endangered national security.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
But choices like Wintour’s silence the very people hurt by ethnic hatred.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of hatred

Verb

Oakley and Dolan have long feuded, with Oakley accusing Dolan of treating him less favorably than other Knicks legends, including by not providing him complimentary tickets and allegedly disrespecting him in other ways.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Unanswered emails can make people feel ignored or disrespected, or jump to worrying or envisioning worst-case scenarios, such as being on the brink of getting laid off or fired.

— Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of disrespect

Verb

Yet the recent swirl of negative discourse around influencer culture has felt different, in part because hating influencers is no longer just a snarky internet pastime.

— Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
Tovey stars as Anthony Selvon, a polarizing self-help influencer with a dangerous message for young men nearing adulthood – embrace hypermasculinity and hate on women.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of hate

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“Scorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorn. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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