Disdain
noun
A feeling of not respecting someone or something because you think that person or thing is not important or good.
He looked at me with utter disdain.
Often appears as...
- look of disdain
- utter disdain
verb
To strongly not like or approve of someone or something.
The director disdains all forms of publicity.
Often appears as...
- disdain for something
- disdain to do something
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A feeling of not respecting someone or something because you think that person or thing is not important or good.
He looked at me with utter disdain.
Often appears as...
- look of disdain
- utter disdain
verb
To strongly not like or approve of someone or something.
The director disdains all forms of publicity.
Often appears as...
- disdain for something
- disdain to do something
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Intensity Variation
Disdain can range from mild dislike to intense loathing. Context determines the severity.
His mild disdain for fast food doesn't compare to his intense disdain for dishonesty.
Pro Tip 2/3Power Dynamics
Often implies a sense of superiority by the person feeling disdain.
She viewed his humble beginnings with disdain, believing her wealth made her superior.
Pro Tip 3/3Nonverbal Clues
Disdain can be expressed through facial expressions, tone, or posture, not just words.
His look of disdain made it clear he didn't approve of the amateur performance.
Pro Tip 1/3Intensity Variation
Disdain can range from mild dislike to intense loathing. Context determines the severity.
His mild disdain for fast food doesn't compare to his intense disdain for dishonesty.
Pro Tip 2/3Power Dynamics
Often implies a sense of superiority by the person feeling disdain.
She viewed his humble beginnings with disdain, believing her wealth made her superior.
Pro Tip 3/3Nonverbal Clues
Disdain can be expressed through facial expressions, tone, or posture, not just words.
His look of disdain made it clear he didn't approve of the amateur performance.
Pro Tip 1/3Intensity Variation
Disdain can range from mild dislike to intense loathing. Context determines the severity.
His mild disdain for fast food doesn't compare to his intense disdain for dishonesty.
Pro Tip 2/3Power Dynamics
Often implies a sense of superiority by the person feeling disdain.
She viewed his humble beginnings with disdain, believing her wealth made her superior.
Pro Tip 3/3Nonverbal Clues
Disdain can be expressed through facial expressions, tone, or posture, not just words.
His look of disdain made it clear he didn't approve of the amateur performance.
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Video examples
The poet who painted...
Those rearing clouds begin to neigh a whole universe of auricular cities. Listen if it rains while regret and disdain weep to an ancient music. Listen to the bonds fall off which hold you above and below." Each calligram is intended to allow readers to unchain themselves from the regular experience of poetry,
Video examples
The power of women's...
so very few men with power are going to take what I'm saying seriously, as a matter of politics. We think of politics and anger in terms of the contempt and disdain and fury that are feeding a rise of macho-fascism in the world. But if it's that poison, it's also the antidote.
Video examples
Would you raise the bird...
it may be best to simply foster the imposter. Brood parasitism tends to evoke horror and disdain. But why should it be thought of as any more objectionable than predator-prey relationships? And is it ever productive to impose human morals onto other animals?
Video examples
I grew up in the...
They channeled their infinitely justifiable offense and came to me with pointed questions tempered with kindness and humor. They approached me as a human being, and that was more transformative than two full decades of outrage, disdain and violence.
Video examples
Why glass towers are bad...
Chicken or pasta? But worse still, assemblies of glass towers like this one in Moscow suggest a disdain for the civic and communal aspects of urban living. Right? Buildings like these are intended to enrich their owners and tenants,
Video examples
George Whitesides: A lab...
The editor said, with enormous disdain, "I read this. And we're not going to publish it, because we only publish science." And it's an important issue, because it means that we have to, as a society, think about what we value.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 329 PIPE...
seen if since I've you know been back but yes she is in Tina's mom it's crazy to think that in tema I remember said when we used to go see little in timo and she was tiny like these ones and interesting how far the disdain is
Video examples
Enough with the fear of...
to how we value ourselves and each other that we rarely question why we have such contempt for people of size and where that disdain comes from. But we must question it, because the enormous value we place on how we look
Video examples
Karen Armstrong: Let's...
And the rabbis and the early fathers of the church who said that any interpretation of scripture that bred hatred and disdain was illegitimate. And we need to revive that spirit. And it's not just going to happen
Video examples
The harm reduction model...
and greatly reduce suffering and death. So why haven't harm reduction programs taken off? Why do we still think that drug use is law enforcement issue? Our disdain for drugs and drug users goes very deep.
Video examples
The poet who painted...
Those rearing clouds begin to neigh a whole universe of auricular cities. Listen if it rains while regret and disdain weep to an ancient music. Listen to the bonds fall off which hold you above and below." Each calligram is intended to allow readers to unchain themselves from the regular experience of poetry,
Video examples
The power of women's...
so very few men with power are going to take what I'm saying seriously, as a matter of politics. We think of politics and anger in terms of the contempt and disdain and fury that are feeding a rise of macho-fascism in the world. But if it's that poison, it's also the antidote.
Video examples
Would you raise the bird...
it may be best to simply foster the imposter. Brood parasitism tends to evoke horror and disdain. But why should it be thought of as any more objectionable than predator-prey relationships? And is it ever productive to impose human morals onto other animals?
Video examples
I grew up in the...
They channeled their infinitely justifiable offense and came to me with pointed questions tempered with kindness and humor. They approached me as a human being, and that was more transformative than two full decades of outrage, disdain and violence.
Video examples
Why glass towers are bad...
Chicken or pasta? But worse still, assemblies of glass towers like this one in Moscow suggest a disdain for the civic and communal aspects of urban living. Right? Buildings like these are intended to enrich their owners and tenants,
Video examples
George Whitesides: A lab...
The editor said, with enormous disdain, "I read this. And we're not going to publish it, because we only publish science." And it's an important issue, because it means that we have to, as a society, think about what we value.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 329 PIPE...
seen if since I've you know been back but yes she is in Tina's mom it's crazy to think that in tema I remember said when we used to go see little in timo and she was tiny like these ones and interesting how far the disdain is
Video examples
Enough with the fear of...
to how we value ourselves and each other that we rarely question why we have such contempt for people of size and where that disdain comes from. But we must question it, because the enormous value we place on how we look
Video examples
Karen Armstrong: Let's...
And the rabbis and the early fathers of the church who said that any interpretation of scripture that bred hatred and disdain was illegitimate. And we need to revive that spirit. And it's not just going to happen
Video examples
The harm reduction model...
and greatly reduce suffering and death. So why haven't harm reduction programs taken off? Why do we still think that drug use is law enforcement issue? Our disdain for drugs and drug users goes very deep.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Steve Wynn
American Businessman
I have very little respect for the integrity of the trading on the exchange in most stocks. And I have particular disdain for the fact that the SEC has failed to deal with high-frequency traders who are doing nothing more than taking advantage of inside information, a buy or a sell order, because of technology advantages.
Quote examples
Eric Stoltz
American Actor
It seems I have a hard time being attracted to someone unless I respect what they do on some level. Otherwise, I would feel disdain for them. Which is not always pleasant in a relationship. Sometimes it's fun though.
Quote examples
Enes Kanter
Turkish Athlete
Because I play in the NBA, I am lucky enough to have a public platform, so I've used every opportunity to make sure everyone knows about Erdogan's cruelty and disdain for human rights.
Quote examples
Chuck Palahniuk
American Novelist
My personal theory is that younger audiences disdain books - not because those readers are dumber than past readers, but because today's reader is smarter.
Quote examples
Nikolai Gogol
Russian Writer
Wise is the man who does not disdain any character and instead, examining him with a searching look, plumbs him to the very main-springs of his being.
Quote examples
Trent Lott
American Politician
We cannot forget the little things we take for granted in America that remain the disdain of dictators and terrorists throughout the world.
Quote examples
Meryl Streep
American Actress
Don't give up or give in in the face of patronising ridicule, amused disdain, or being ignored.
Quote examples
Robert Walpole
British Statesman
I have never been afraid of making patriots; but I disdain and despise all their efforts.
Quote examples
Ana Kasparian
American Educator
My disdain for Trump is clear and warranted.
Quote examples
Laura Linney
American Actress
I find the whole disdain for ageing crazy.
Quote examples
Steve Wynn
American Businessman
I have very little respect for the integrity of the trading on the exchange in most stocks. And I have particular disdain for the fact that the SEC has failed to deal with high-frequency traders who are doing nothing more than taking advantage of inside information, a buy or a sell order, because of technology advantages.
Quote examples
Eric Stoltz
American Actor
It seems I have a hard time being attracted to someone unless I respect what they do on some level. Otherwise, I would feel disdain for them. Which is not always pleasant in a relationship. Sometimes it's fun though.
Quote examples
Enes Kanter
Turkish Athlete
Because I play in the NBA, I am lucky enough to have a public platform, so I've used every opportunity to make sure everyone knows about Erdogan's cruelty and disdain for human rights.
Quote examples
Chuck Palahniuk
American Novelist
My personal theory is that younger audiences disdain books - not because those readers are dumber than past readers, but because today's reader is smarter.
Quote examples
Nikolai Gogol
Russian Writer
Wise is the man who does not disdain any character and instead, examining him with a searching look, plumbs him to the very main-springs of his being.
Quote examples
Trent Lott
American Politician
We cannot forget the little things we take for granted in America that remain the disdain of dictators and terrorists throughout the world.
Quote examples
Meryl Streep
American Actress
Don't give up or give in in the face of patronising ridicule, amused disdain, or being ignored.
Quote examples
Robert Walpole
British Statesman
I have never been afraid of making patriots; but I disdain and despise all their efforts.
Quote examples
Ana Kasparian
American Educator
My disdain for Trump is clear and warranted.
Quote examples
Laura Linney
American Actress
I find the whole disdain for ageing crazy.
Example 1 of 10
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