contemn

tr.v., -temned, -temn·ing, -temns.
To view with contempt; despise. See synonyms at despise.

[Middle English contempnen, to slight, from Latin contemnere : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + temnere, to despise.]

contemner con·temn'er (-tĕm'ər, -tĕm'nər) n.

(kuhn-TEM)

verb tr.
To treat with contempt; to despise.

Etymology
From Middle English contempnen, from Latin contemnere, from com- + temnere (to despise).

Usage
"Sarah's personality, after all, is almost singularly defined by her caring, symbiotic relationship with Leon and several other friends; in departing so abruptly, she seems to contemn this central dimension of her identity." — Alex Raksin; The Dreams of Zoo Animals by Valmai Howe; The Los Angeles Times; May 7, 1989.

"Matthew Rees explains the ins and outs of the failed coup that has left Newt Gingrich contemning Dick Armey, Tom DeLay, and John Boehner, his GOP subalterns." — Scot Lehigh; Sermon on Sex; The Boston Globe; Jul 30, 1997.

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verb

To regard with utter contempt and disdain: despise, disdain, scorn, scout. Idioms: have no use for, look downonupon. See respect/contempt/standing.

IN BRIEF: To treat with despise or scorn.

Paul tries hard not to contemn others.

Tutor's tip: Knowing that society would also "contemn" (look down on, treat with contempt) him, she felt able to "condemn" (criticize strongly) him for not using a "condom" (a protective sheath used in sexual activity).

Dansk (Danish)
v. tr. - foragte

Nederlands (Dutch)
minachten

Français (French)
v. tr. - mépriser

Deutsch (German)
v. - verachten

Ελληνική (Greek)
v. - περιφρονώ, σνομπάρω

Italiano (Italian)
sprezzare

Português (Portuguese)
v. - desprezar

Русский (Russian)
презирать

Español (Spanish)
v. tr. - desdeñar, despreciar

Svenska (Swedish)
v. - förakta (litt.)

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
侮辱, 蔑视

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
v. tr. - 侮辱, 蔑視

한국어 (Korean)
v. tr. - 결명하다

日本語 (Japanese)
v. - 軽蔑する, 侮辱する

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(فعل) يكره, يمقت‏

עברית (Hebrew)
v. tr. - ‮בז ל-, מאס ב-‬

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