1
as in contemptuous
feeling or showing open dislike for someone or something regarded as undeserving of respect or concern
a disdainful attitude toward people who work as waiters and waitresses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proud
having or displaying feelings of scorn for what is regarded as beneath oneself
disdainful of manual labor of any kind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in slighting
intended to make a person or thing seem of little importance or value
disdainful remarks regarding the cheap clothes that the local people were wearing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disdainful
The girl's disdainful parents, unimpressed with her intelligence and independent spirit, decide to send her to Crunchem Hall, where the ruthless headmistress (Emma Thompson) specializes in bringing troublemaking tykes into line.
—
Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Feb. 2026
Yet whenever Bunny turns away from Frank to take a call from one of his underlings about the day-to-day violence and ugliness of their industry, a somewhat disdainful look passes across Frank’s face.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Godchaux was a divisive figure among Grateful Dead devotees — many fans were frankly outright disdainful of her presence on stage.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Many documentarians are disdainful of such performances, and Burns avoided working with them on The Civil War.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disdainful
Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Feb. 2026
Yet whenever Bunny turns away from Frank to take a call from one of his underlings about the day-to-day violence and ugliness of their industry, a somewhat disdainful look passes across Frank’s face.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Godchaux was a divisive figure among Grateful Dead devotees — many fans were frankly outright disdainful of her presence on stage.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Nov. 2025
Many documentarians are disdainful of such performances, and Burns avoided working with them on The Civil War.
—Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disdainful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disdainful
Adjective
-
This style includes contemptuous and mistrustful visages; blockily bunkered and narrowly fenestrated exteriors; and ludicrously lavish and coddling interiors.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
8 July 2025
-
That’s fine by an administration that seems basically contemptuous of the very concept of due process.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Citadel is proud not to have a touchy-feely atmosphere.—
Gary Sernovitz,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
South America has a proud soccer tradition, and is the only continent other than Europe to produce World Cup champions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
-
Pratt came in with an insulting offer and needed to be pushed.—
Heather Merrick,
Hartford Courant,
11 June 2026
-
These character endnotes, whether they’re read as youthful naiveté or an insulting interpretation of youthful naiveté, contribute to the finale’s bitter aftertaste.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Twelve years ago, while serving as lieutenant governor, Newsom was scornful.—
Dan Walters,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
-
Not even the pork choppers were as arrogant and scornful of voting rights as the current mob.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Washington State’s beauty is almost arrogant in its expansiveness.—
C Pam Zhang,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
-
The question, then, is why so many people would still say that England fans have this arrogant expectation about the quality of their own team?—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
The malicious prosecution claim was dismissed after Levine’s attorneys failed to object to a motion for summary judgment to dismiss the final charge.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
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The Knicks also got their revenge on Wembanyama, who went unpenalized for a malicious, above-the-shoulders shove on Brunson in Game 3.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
These racist, sexist and abhorrent comments absolutely do not reflect the values of the Massachusetts State Police and are not tolerated within our ranks.—
Todd Prussman,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
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To learn that zoos will be trafficking the sloths to other zoos and be used in breeding is abhorrent.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Most smug articles and books that claim to provide quick fixes come off as tone-deaf or even counterproductive.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
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But the series’ central character, played by Rachel Weisz, has enough nervous, itchy, manic energy to make the show’s narrative structure feel purposely unstable rather than safely smug.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disdainful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disdainful. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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