contempt
/kənˈtempt/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈtempt/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈtem(p)t/ (ame, mw)
contempt — noun
1. a very strong feeling that a person, action, or idea is worthless and does not d
a very strong feeling that a person, action, or idea is worthless and does not deserve any respect at all.
Aarav could not hide his contempt for the manager who had tricked the whole team.
contempt for + person
The senator spoke of the scandal with such contempt that the audience fell silent.
with contempt — prepositional phrase showing manner
Darius felt nothing but contempt when he saw people littering in the national park.
Her speech was filled with contempt for the company's unfair treatment of young workers.
- respect
the opposite feeling of regarding someone or something as valuable
- admiration
a feeling of warm approval and respect for someone's qualities
文法句型
contempt for something/somebody
hold someone in contempt
beneath contempt
用法筆記
Contempt is an uncountable noun and cannot be used with 'a' or in the plural. You feel or show contempt for someone or something. The related adjective is 'contemptuous' ('a contemptuous look'), while 'contemptible' describes the thing that deserves contempt ('a contemptible act').
常見錯誤
2. the attitude or behaviour of someone who considers a particular person or thing
the attitude or behaviour of someone who considers a particular person or thing worthless and treats them with disrespect, especially through their actions or how they speak.
The villagers held the dishonest official in contempt for stealing public funds.
hold + in contempt — fixed phrase
Caio showed contempt for the outdated rules by ignoring them completely.
show contempt for
Romi has nothing but contempt for politicians who break their promises.
Her colleagues treated her concerns with contempt, which made her feel completely ignored.
- look down on
less formal; suggests you consider yourself superior
- despise
a verb with similar intensity, but more about hatred than worthlessness
- look up to
to admire and respect someone as a role model
- value
to consider someone or something important and worthwhile
文法句型
have contempt for
feel contempt for
show contempt for
hold someone in contempt
用法筆記
This sense captures the common verb-phrase patterns. 'Beneath contempt' is an intensifying phrase meaning 'so bad or worthless that even contempt is too good for it.' Example: 'His behaviour was beneath contempt.'
常見錯誤
3. the legal offence of showing disrespect to a judge or court, or of failing to fo
the legal offence of showing disrespect to a judge or court, or of failing to follow a court's lawful instructions, which is punishable by law.
The judge found Baraka in contempt of court for refusing to reveal his source.
found in contempt of court
A journalist who refuses to name a source can be held in contempt of court.
passive: be held in contempt of court
Tamar spent ten days in jail for contempt of court after shouting at the judge.
Cyrus was fined for contempt of court after ignoring the judge's order to stay quiet.
- disobedience
a general term; less specific to court settings and less severe
- defiance
open resistance to authority, but not a formal legal charge like contempt of court
- compliance
following orders or rules, especially court orders
- deference
respectful submission to the authority of a court or judge
文法句型
contempt of court
in contempt of court
hold someone in contempt of court
用法筆記
'Contempt of court' is a serious legal offence. It covers both 'direct contempt' (disruptive behaviour in the courtroom) and 'indirect contempt' (failing to obey a court order outside the court, such as not paying child support). The term 'contempt' alone in legal contexts usually implies contempt of court.