Contempt vs. Disgust — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 28, 2024
Contempt involves viewing someone or something as inferior or worthless, often with disdain, while disgust is a strong aversion, typically related to revulsion or profound disapproval.
Difference Between Contempt and Disgust
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Contempt is an emotion that reflects a deep lack of respect for someone or something, often coupled with feelings of superiority. On the other hand, disgust is primarily a response to something considered physically or morally repulsive. While contempt deals with disdain for someone's status or actions, disgust is triggered by something perceived as offensive or repugnant to the senses.
Contempt often arises from a perceived violation of social or moral norms, leading one to view the offender as undeserving of respect. Whereas disgust can stem from more innate reactions to things that are seen as unclean, unhealthy, or morally wrong, focusing on the desire to avoid or remove the offending object or idea.
In relationships, contempt is particularly damaging, signaling a deep-seated resentment and lack of admiration that can erode the foundation of trust and respect. Disgust, while also negative, typically relates to specific actions or attributes rather than an overarching disdain for a person's character.
Socially, contempt may be expressed through sarcasm, mockery, or dismissive behavior, aiming to demean or belittle the target. Disgust, however, is often manifested through physical reactions like grimacing, retching, or withdrawal, indicating a visceral response to the stimulus.
The long-term effects of feeling contempt can include emotional detachment and a breakdown in communication, as it often indicates a fundamental disrespect. Disgust, while powerful, is usually more situational and may not have as enduring an impact on personal relationships unless it is pervasive and tied to fundamental moral differences.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Lack of respect, viewing as inferior.
Strong aversion, revulsion.
Trigger
Perceived violation of norms, superiority.
Offensive to senses, moral repulsion.
Focus
Disdain for status/actions.
Aversion to specific attributes/actions.
Social Expression
Sarcasm, mockery.
Grimacing, physical withdrawal.
Impact on Relationships
Erodes trust and respect.
Typically situational, less enduring.
Innate vs. Learned
Often learned from social/moral norms.
Can be innate (e.g., reaction to decay).
Physical vs. Moral
More moral/social disdain.
Can be physical or moral repulsion.
Long-term Effects
Emotional detachment, communication breakdown.
Situational, less impact unless pervasive.
Compare with Definitions
Contempt
Viewing someone as beneath consideration.
His contempt for the opposing team was evident in his dismissive remarks.
Disgust
Strong aversion to something physically repulsive.
The sight of the spoiled food filled her with disgust.
Contempt
A feeling of superiority over others.
His academic achievements led him to regard his peers with contempt.
Disgust
Physical reaction to offensive stimuli.
The disgusting smell caused everyone in the room to recoil.
Contempt
Disdain or scorn felt towards someone.
She looked at the plagiarized work with contempt, refusing to acknowledge it as legitimate.
Disgust
Emotional response to something profoundly unacceptable.
Stories of betrayal and deceit stirred feelings of disgust.
Contempt
Emotional response to perceived inferiority.
The elitist showed nothing but contempt for those outside his social circle.
Disgust
Intense disapproval or aversion.
Their disregard for the environment was met with disgust by the community.
Contempt
Lack of respect towards norms.
Their contempt for the law was clear when they ignored the regulations.
Disgust
Revulsion caused by moral or ethical disdain.
He felt disgust at the corruption uncovered in the organization.
Contempt
Contempt is a pattern of attitudes and behaviour, often towards an individual or group, but sometimes towards an ideology, which has the characteristics of disgust and anger.The word originated in 1393 in Old French contempt, contemps, from the Latin word contemptus meaning "scorn". It is the past participle of contemnere and from con- intensive prefix + temnere "to slight, scorn".
Disgust
Disgust (Middle French: desgouster, from Latin gustus, "taste") is an emotional response of rejection or revulsion to something potentially contagious or something considered offensive, distasteful, or unpleasant. In The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals, Charles Darwin wrote that disgust is a sensation that refers to something revolting.
Contempt
The feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration
Pam stared at the girl with total contempt
It is no wonder journalists are held in such contempt
Disgust
To excite nausea or loathing in; sicken.
Contempt
The feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn.
Disgust
To offend the taste or moral sense of; repel.
Contempt
The state of being despised or dishonored
Was held in contempt by his former friends.
Disgust
Profound dislike or annoyance caused by something sickening or offensive.
Contempt
Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.
Disgust
To cause an intense dislike for something.
It disgusts me to see her chew with her mouth open.
Contempt
(uncountable) The state or act of contemning; the feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn, disdain.
Disgust
An intense dislike or loathing someone feels for something bad or nasty.
With an air of disgust, she stormed out of the room.
Contempt
The state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace.
Disgust
To provoke disgust or strong distaste in; to cause (any one) loathing, as of the stomach; to excite aversion in; to offend the moral taste of; - often with at, with, or by.
To disgust him with the world and its vanities.
Ærius is expressly declared . . . to have been disgusted at failing.
Alarmed and disgusted by the proceedings of the convention.
Contempt
(legal) Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.
Disgust
Repugnance to what is offensive; aversion or displeasure produced by something loathsome; loathing; strong distaste; - said primarily of the sickening opposition felt for anything which offends the physical organs of taste; now rather of the analogous repugnance excited by anything extremely unpleasant to the moral taste or higher sensibilities of our nature; as, an act of cruelty may excite disgust.
The manner of doing is more consequence than the thing done, and upon that depends the satisfaction or disgust wherewith it is received.
In a vulgar hack writer such oddities would have excited only disgust.
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.
Disgust
Strong feelings of dislike
Contempt
The state of being despised; disgrace; shame.
Contempt and begarry hangs upon thy back.
Disgust
Fill with distaste;
This spoilt food disgusts me
Contempt
An act or expression denoting contempt.
Little insults and contempts.
The contempt and anger of his lip.
Disgust
Cause aversion in; offend the moral sense of;
The pornographic pictures sickened us
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.
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
Contempt
A manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous
Contempt
Open disrespect for a person or thing
Contempt
A willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of a court or legislative body
Common Curiosities
How do contempt and disgust differ in relationships?
Contempt in relationships indicates a lack of respect and admiration, potentially eroding trust, while disgust typically relates to specific behaviors or attributes and may not have as lasting an impact unless tied to core values.
Can contempt and disgust coexist?
Yes, contempt and disgust can coexist, especially in situations where moral violations are perceived, leading to both disdain for the individual and aversion to their actions.
What triggers contempt?
Contempt is triggered by perceived violations of social or moral norms, leading to disdain for the person viewed as violating these norms.
Can contempt be justified?
Contempt may be justified in cases where it is a response to genuine ethical violations or behaviors that undermine social cohesion, though it still carries risks to relationships.
Are contempt and disgust learned emotions?
While disgust has some innate components, especially related to survival instincts, both emotions can be influenced by cultural and social norms, suggesting a learned aspect.
What is contempt?
Contempt is an emotion of disdain or scorn towards someone or something considered inferior or not worthy of respect.
Is contempt more harmful than disgust?
Contempt can be more harmful, especially in personal relationships, as it signifies deep-seated resentment and lack of respect, while disgust's impact is more often situational and tied to specific triggers.
Can disgust be a moral emotion?
Yes, disgust can be a moral emotion when it is a reaction to actions or behaviors that are considered ethically or morally repulsive.
What is disgust?
Disgust is a strong feeling of aversion or revulsion, usually in response to something considered physically or morally repugnant.
How are contempt and disgust expressed socially?
Contempt is often expressed through verbal cues like sarcasm and nonverbal cues like eye-rolling, indicating superiority. Disgust is usually shown through physical reactions such as grimacing or distancing oneself from the source of disgust.
What triggers disgust?
Disgust can be triggered by sensory perceptions of something considered unclean or unhealthy, as well as moral judgments about actions or behaviors.
How can one manage feelings of contempt or disgust?
Managing these emotions involves understanding their source, practicing empathy, and, in some cases, seeking to address or resolve underlying issues that trigger these responses.
What are the consequences of unchecked contempt?
Unchecked contempt can lead to the breakdown of relationships, emotional detachment, and a hostile environment.
How does disgust protect us?
Disgust can protect us by causing aversion to potentially harmful substances or behaviors, serving as a mechanism to avoid disease and maintain moral standards.
How do societal norms influence contempt and disgust?
Societal norms play a significant role in shaping what is considered contemptible or disgusting, with cultural variations in what triggers these emotions.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Anomaly vs. Paradox
Next Comparison
Pathetic vs. PitifulAuthor Spotlight
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
Maham Liaqat
