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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scorn

2 of 2

verb

ˈskȯrn

as in to disdain

to show contempt for scorned the religious traditions of their ancestors

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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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Synonym Chooser

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

Yet still, economists, pundits, and politicians continue to heap endless scorn on the Fed for not seeing into the future back in 2019 and 2020, only to not intervene in the marketplace to ensure prices didn’t rise. — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Hamas has especially faced years of international scorn for stealing humanitarian aid to enrich itself and fuel its operations. — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 23 July 2026

Verb

Police quickly connected them to his ex-fiancée and began investigating her, with a media narrative painting her as a woman scorned and willing to do anything to ruin his life. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for scorn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scorn

Noun

Lawmakers on the committee are saying he could be held in contempt.

— Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026
Being held in contempt opens up a witness to criminal prosecution.

— Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 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

Verb

Hate him, despise him, be jealous of his wealth, but support his efforts to destroy Iran and hopefully end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
The zombies despise water and are connected to a lab experiment that involves chimps (the special effects get a bit iffy there).

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of despise

Noun

His hatred of the Islamic State group appears genuine, and American cooperation with Damascus against the terrorist network will benefit the Syrians who suffered most under its rule.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Yet Christ Jesus consistently refused to let fear, hatred, or sin define his view of anyone’s identity.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 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

On rare occasions the selection of award recipients has also served as a critique of public policy and institutional practices that have disregarded scientific evidence or been grounded in unscientific reasoning.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026
The judge denied the mistrial motion, siding with the prosecution that the jury will be told to disregard the comments on Clancy’s faith.

— NBC News, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of disregard

Verb

The judges love Naheim’s gown but hate his jacket, which makes Law feel claustrophobic.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Whether fans love it or hate it, the pairing has generated plenty of conversation ahead of the NFL season and has given Steelers Nation an unexpected new mascot to debate.

— Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of hate

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“Scorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scorn. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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