disdain

Noun · Verb
US[dis-deyn]/dɪsˈdeɪn/2 syllables
Synonyms: contemptscorndespitecondescensionpatronagecontemndespiserejectspurnfreeze offpooh-poohturn down

Open English WordNet

Verb (2)disdained, disdaining

  1. look down on with disdain“He despises the people he has to work for”“The professor scorns the students who don't catch on immediately”Synonyms: contemndespisescornMore general hate, detestMore specific look down on
  2. reject with contempt“She spurned his advances”Synonyms: rejectspurnfreeze offscornpooh-poohturn downMore general refuse, declineMore specific avoid, rebuffSimilar refuse, reject

Noun (2)

  1. lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike“he was held in contempt”“the despite in which outsiders were held is legendary”Synonyms: contemptscorndespiteType of dislike
  2. a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipientSynonyms: condescensionpatronageType of disparagement, depreciation

Related words scorn noun, despite noun, sneerer noun, spurner noun

Word of the day · Nov 13About this word
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Dis·dain′ (?; 277), noun

Origin: OE. desdain, disdein, OF. desdein, desdaing, F. dédain, fr. the verb. See Disdain, transitive verb

1. A feeling of contempt and aversion; the regarding anything as unworthy of or beneath one; scorn.

How my soul is moved with just disdain!— Alexander Pope

Often implying an idea of haughtiness.

Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes.— William Shakespeare

2. That which is worthy to be disdained or regarded with contempt and aversion. obsolete

Most loathsome, filthy, foul, and full of vile disdain.— Edmund Spenser

3. The state of being despised; shame. obsolete William Shakespeare

Synonyms: Haughtiness; scorn; contempt; arrogance; pride. See Haughtiness.

Dis·dain′ (?; 277), transitive verb [past tense & past participle Disdained; present participle & verbal noun Disdaining.]

Origin: OE. disdainen, desdainen, OF. desdeigner, desdaigner, F. dédaigner; des- (L. dis-) + daigner to deign, fr. L. dignari to deem worthy. See Deign.

1. To think unworthy; to deem unsuitable or unbecoming; as, to disdain to do a mean act.

Disdaining... that any should bear the armor of the best knight living.— Sir Philip Sidney

2. To reject as unworthy of one's self, or as not deserving one's notice; to look with scorn upon; to scorn, as base acts, character, etc.

When the Philistine... saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth.— 1 Sam. xvii. 42.
'T is great, 't is manly to disdain disguise.— Edward Young

Synonyms: To contemn; despise; scorn. See Contemn.

Dis·dain′ intransitive verb

To be filled with scorn; to feel contemptuous anger; to be haughty.

And when the chief priests and scribes saw the marvels that he did... they disdained.— Genevan Testament (Matt. xxi. 15).

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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