contempt

/kənˈtempt/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈtempt/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈtem(p)t/ (ame, mw)

contempt — 名詞

1. a very strong feeling that a person, action, or idea is worthless and does not d

1.名詞C1
釋義

輕蔑；鄙視

認為某人或某事一無是處的強烈反感

a very strong feeling that a person, action, or idea is worthless and does not deserve any respect at all.

例句

Aarav could not hide his contempt for the manager who had tricked the whole team.

Aarav 無法掩飾他對那位欺騙整個團隊的經理所抱持的輕蔑。

contempt for + person

The senator spoke of the scandal with such contempt that the audience fell silent.

那位參議員以極度鄙視的口吻談論那樁醜聞，全場聽眾為之沉默。

with contempt — prepositional phrase showing manner

同義詞
  • scorn

    similar strength but focuses more on a mocking, angry rejection rather than cold disregard

  • disdain

    a cooler, more aloof form of contempt; implies you consider something beneath your notice

  • disgust

    focuses on physical or moral revulsion rather than the sense of worthlessness

反義詞
  • 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

❌He has a deep contempt for dishonest people.
✅He has deep contempt for dishonest people.
💡Contempt is uncountable; do not use an article before it.
❌She looked at them with contempts.
✅She looked at them with contempt.
💡Contempt has no plural form.

2. the attitude or behaviour of someone who considers a particular person or thing

2.名詞C1
釋義

輕視態度

以言行表達看不起對方的姿態

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.

例句

The villagers held the dishonest official in contempt for stealing public funds.

村民們因為那位不誠實的官員盜用公款而對他抱持輕視態度。

hold + in contempt — fixed phrase

Caio showed contempt for the outdated rules by ignoring them completely.

Caio 對那些過時的規則完全不理會，以此表達蔑視。

show contempt for

同義詞
  • look down on

    less formal; suggests you consider yourself superior

  • despise

    a verb with similar intensity, but more about hatred than worthlessness

反義詞
  • 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

❌She has contempt on lazy workers.
✅She has contempt for lazy workers.
💡The correct preposition is 'for', not 'on' or 'towards'.

3. the legal offence of showing disrespect to a judge or court, or of failing to fo

3.名詞B2
釋義

藐視法庭

不遵守法院命令或不尊重法官的違法行為

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.

例句

The judge found Baraka in contempt of court for refusing to reveal his source.

法官認定 Baraka 因拒絕透露消息來源而構成藐視法庭。

found in contempt of court

A journalist who refuses to name a source can be held in contempt of court.

拒絕透露消息來源的記者可能會被認定為藐視法庭。

passive: be held in contempt of court

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞
  • 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.

常見錯誤

❌My boss held me in contempt of court for being late to work.
✅The judge held the witness in contempt of court for refusing to answer.
💡Contempt of court only applies to legal settings and court authority, not to general situations.