Contempt vs. Disdain — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on October 17, 2023
Contempt denotes a deep lack of respect or scorn for something seen as inferior, while disdain involves an intense feeling of dislike or aversion for what's deemed unworthy.
Difference Between Contempt and Disdain
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Contempt is a powerful emotion that often stems from a sense of superiority and entails viewing something or someone as beneath consideration, unworthy, or deserving scorn. Its roots can be traced to both personal judgments and broader societal values. In contrast, disdain tends to be more of an intense feeling of disliking something that's seen as unworthy or beneath one's standards. It's a form of contempt but generally more specific in nature.
While both contempt and disdain involve feelings of aversion, contempt often has a deeper, more ingrained quality to it, and can sometimes be linked to feelings of anger or moral superiority. Disdain, while still a strong feeling, is more about intense dislike or distaste. For example, contempt might arise from perceived betrayals or actions deemed morally reprehensible, whereas disdain might arise from someone's distaste for a particular behavior or trend.
It's also noteworthy to mention that contempt has legal connotations, particularly when someone shows disrespect to the court or its procedures. Disdain doesn't share this legal context. Both words, however, emphasize a sense of superiority and judgment.
Summing it up, while contempt and disdain share common grounds in expressing aversion and superiority, they differ in depth, specificity, and context. Contempt often represents deeper judgments and can have legal implications, whereas disdain is more about particular distastes and aversions.
Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
A feeling of scorn towards something seen as inferior.
Intense dislike for something deemed unworthy.
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Depth of Emotion
Generally deeper, more ingrained.
Strong, but not as deeply rooted as contempt.
Specificity
Broad, can be toward a wide range of subjects or behaviors.
More specific, often about particular behaviors.
Legal Implications
Yes, especially in showing disrespect to the court.
No legal connotations.
Connotation
Often suggests moral or personal superiority.
Implies a strong distaste or aversion.
Compare with Definitions
Contempt
A deep lack of admiration or approval.
The artist’s unconventional methods met with public contempt.
Disdain
An expression of contempt or aversion.
With a look of disdain, she turned away.
Contempt
A feeling of scorn or disrespect.
His contempt for authority often got him into trouble.
Disdain
To regard or treat with haughty contempt.
Critics disdained the movie, calling it cliché.
Contempt
A feeling that something is beneath consideration.
With a flick of her wrist, she dismissed the idea with contempt.
Disdain
The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of respect.
He looked at the cheap imitation with disdain.
Contempt
The act of despising or deeming something unworthy.
She held nothing but contempt for liars.
Disdain
A feeling of scorn or contempt.
The scholar held disdain for baseless theories.
Contempt
The feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn.
Disdain
To regard or treat with haughty contempt
Critics who disdained the writer as a hack.
Contempt
The state of being despised or dishonored
Was held in contempt by his former friends.
Disdain
To consider or reject (doing something) as beneath oneself
Disdained receiving an award from the organization.
Disdained to attend the ceremony.
Contempt
Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.
Disdain
A feeling or show of contempt and aloofness; scorn.
Contempt
(uncountable) The state or act of contemning; the feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn, disdain.
Disdain
(uncountable) A feeling of contempt or scorn.
The cat viewed the cheap supermarket catfood with disdain and stalked away.
Contempt
The state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace.
Disdain
(obsolete) That which is worthy to be disdained or regarded with contempt and aversion.
Contempt
(legal) Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.
Disdain
(obsolete) The state of being despised; shame.
Contempt
The act of contemning or despising; the feeling with which one regards that which is esteemed mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn.
Criminal contempt of public feeling.
Nothing, says Longinus, can be great, the contempt of which is great.
Disdain
(transitive) To regard (someone or something) with strong contempt.
Contempt
The state of being despised; disgrace; shame.
Contempt and begarry hangs upon thy back.
Disdain
To be indignant or offended.
Contempt
An act or expression denoting contempt.
Little insults and contempts.
The contempt and anger of his lip.
Disdain
A feeling of contempt and aversion; the regarding anything as unworthy of or beneath one; scorn.
How my soul is moved with just disdain!
Disdain and scorn ride sparkling in her eyes.
Contempt
Disobedience of the rules, orders, or process of a court of justice, or of rules or orders of a legislative body; disorderly, contemptuous, or insolent language or behavior in presence of a court, tending to disturb its proceedings, or impair the respect due to its authority.
Disdain
That which is worthy to be disdained or regarded with contempt and aversion.
Most loathsome, filthy, foul, and full of vile disdain.
Contempt
Lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike;
He was held in contempt
The despite in which outsiders were held is legendary
Disdain
The state of being despised; shame.
Contempt
A manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous
Disdain
To think unworthy; to deem unsuitable or unbecoming; as, to disdain to do a mean act.
Disdaining . . . that any should bear the armor of the best knight living.
Contempt
Open disrespect for a person or thing
Disdain
To reject as unworthy of one's self, or as not deserving one's notice; to look with scorn upon; to scorn, as base acts, character, etc.
When the Philistine . . . saw David, he disdained him; for he was but a youth.
'T is great, 't is manly to disdain disguise.
Contempt
A willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of a court or legislative body
Disdain
To be filled with scorn; to feel contemptuous anger; to be haughty.
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the marvels that he did . . . they disdained.
Contempt
Willful disobedience or disrespect to a court.
The judge held the witness in contempt for not answering questions.
Disdain
Lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike;
He was held in contempt
The despite in which outsiders were held is legendary
Disdain
A communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient
Disdain
Look down on with disdain;
He despises the people he has to work for
The professor scorns the students who don't catch on immediately
Disdain
Reject with contempt;
She spurned his advances
Disdain
A strong dislike or aversion.
She had a disdain for tardiness.
Common Curiosities
Are contempt and disdain synonymous?
While similar, contempt is deeper and more ingrained, while disdain is about intense dislike.
Can contempt have legal consequences?
Yes, especially when showing disrespect to a court or its procedures.
Is disdain always negative?
Generally, disdain involves a negative feeling of intense dislike or aversion.
What is the root of contempt?
It often stems from a feeling of superiority or moral judgment.
Can disdain be casual?
While strong, disdain can be expressed casually about particular distastes.
Can organizations be held in contempt?
In a legal sense, yes, if they violate court orders or procedures.
Why might someone feel contempt?
It can arise from perceived betrayals, moral disagreements, or feelings of superiority.
Is it common to confuse contempt and disdain?
Yes, because they both relate to feelings of aversion and superiority.
Can you overcome feelings of contempt or disdain?
With introspection and empathy, it's possible to address and potentially overcome these feelings.
Can someone have disdain for an idea?
Yes, if they find the idea unworthy or distasteful.
Is contempt always obvious?
Not always; it can be subtle or overt, depending on how it's expressed.
Which is stronger: contempt or disdain?
Contempt is generally considered deeper and more ingrained than disdain.
Are both emotions natural?
Yes, both are natural emotions but can be influenced by personal beliefs and societal norms.
How can disdain be expressed?
Through words, tone, body language, or actions that show aversion.
Can one feel disdain without expressing it?
Yes, it's an internal feeling and might not always be outwardly shown.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
