contemptuousness
Looking down harshly
Contemptuousness is the quality of showing contempt—an attitude that regards others as worthless, inferior, or beneath consideration.
It suggests not just dislike but active disdain: The contemptuousness in her voice made clear what she thought of the proposal.
The word emphasizes the outward display of scorn rather than the internal feeling.
Expressing scorn facially
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- scornHostile dismissive feeling
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- disparagementCriticism meant to diminish
belittlement · condescension · haughtiness · disdainfulness · scoffing · ridicule · sneer · jeer
Excessive self-importance
- haughtinessDisdainful sense of superiority
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
- snobberyPretentious social superiority
- superciliousnessScornful sense of superiority
pomposity · smugness · self-importance · imperiousness · lordliness · high-handedness · elitism · patronizing
Irony used to mock
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
- vituperationBitter verbal abuse
- contumelyInsolent, humiliating language
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
insult · affront · denigration · deprecation · defamation · slur · put-down · cutting remark
sneering
Expressing scorn facially
disparagement · belittlement · condescension · haughtiness · disdainfulness · scoffing · ridicule · sneer · jeer · taunt
arrogance
Excessive self-importance
- haughtinessDisdainful sense of superiority
- condescensionDemeaning air of superiority
- snobberyPretentious social superiority
superciliousness · pomposity · smugness · self-importance · imperiousness · lordliness · high-handedness · elitism · patronizing · overbearing
sarcasm
Irony used to mock
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
- vituperationBitter verbal abuse
- contumelyInsolent, humiliating language
invective · insult · affront · denigration · deprecation · defamation · slur · put-down · cutting remark · barb
loathing
Intense, settled disgust
- revulsionIntense physical disgust
- disgustIntense physical aversion
- antipathyIngrained, intense aversion
aversion · animosity · hatred · repugnance · abhorrence · odium · enmity · malice · spite · vitriol
contemptuousnessadmiration
Deep respect felt
reverence · respect · veneration · esteem · high regard
contemptuousnessrespectfulness
Quality of showing esteem
courteousness · graciousness · considerateness · carefulness · attentiveness
contemptuousnesshumility
Freedom from arrogance
modesty · humbleness · respectfulness · self-effacement · unpretentiousness
contempt, contemptuous, contemptible, contemptuously, contemn, contemptibly, contemptibility