WordGarden.ioscorn
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /skˈɔːn/
US
- /ˈskɔrn/
Meanings
Noun
a feeling or expression of contemptuous disrespect
Verb
to regard or treat someone or something with contempt
to reject or refuse as beneath one's dignity
Beyond the definition
Imagine someone making a sincere suggestion, and another person responds with a curled lip, a cold laugh, and a look that says, "That is beneath me." That is close to scorn. It is a strong feeling of disrespect and contempt, and it can also be the act of showing that feeling openly. You might scorn a cruel act, an unfair rule, or a person whose behavior you find shameful. It is stronger than simple dislike because it carries the sense of looking down on someone or something.
Scorn is a strong feeling of contempt and disrespect toward someone or something that seems low, foolish, shameful, or unworthy of respect. The word can name the feeling itself, and it can also describe the action of showing that feeling. If someone speaks with scorn, they show open contempt. If they scorn something, they reject it in a way that suggests it is beneath them. It is more than simple dislike or disagreement because it includes a sense of superiority and open disrespect.
Scorn often appears in the way people speak and act. A person may show it with a cutting remark, a mocking laugh, a dismissive wave, or a facial expression that clearly says they have no respect. For that reason, it is often visible, not hidden. Someone may feel scorn for a lie, a betrayal, an act of cruelty, or a person they see as dishonest or morally weak.
The word is commonly used for people, behavior, ideas, and social attitudes. You can hold someone in scorn, speak with scorn, or scorn a plan, excuse, or custom. In each case, the idea is not just "I don't like this" but "I think this deserves contempt." That is why scorn can sound harsh and hurtful: it does not merely reject, it humiliates.
In stories, scorn is often used to reveal pride, cruelty, bitterness, or class prejudice. A character who answers with scorn is not only angry or annoyed; they are showing that they believe the other person is beneath notice or respect. So while dislike is mild and contempt is strong disapproval, scorn usually adds open expression and a cutting, look-down-on-you attitude.
Examples
- 1
Personal judgment
She looked at his excuse with scorn.
- 2
Team reaction
The suggestion was met with scorn from the rest of the team.
- 3
Moral judgment
He scorns anyone who is rude to service workers.
- 4
Business rivalry
For years, the small company was scorned by its bigger rivals.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Public criticism
Critics poured scorn on the mayor's new plan after the costs became public.
- Phrasepour scorn on
criticize very harshly
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- feel scorn for
- treat with scorn
- pour scorn on
- object of scorn
Word family
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Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- scornnounverb
Forms
- scornedpast tenseverbnoun
- scornspluralnounverb
- scorning-ing formverbnoun