Contumely means insults or insulting behaviour. The 'proud man' treats others with contumely because he thinks he's all that and they are insignificant.

Early in his career, the pioneering scientists' colleagues heaped contumely on him for his unconventional ideas, which were eventually proven to be correct.

The word insolence means the same as abuse, arrogance, audacity, brass, chutzpah, contempt, contumely, guff, gall, or offensiveness. Some antonyms of this word include approval, carefulness, caution, humility, manners, and meekness.

Contumely is a noun, as odd as that seems. It has the look and sound of an adverb, but it is not. It means rude language or treatment arising from haughtiness or contempt. Contumeliate would be a verb form of the word. The adjective would be contumelious. Related words are contumacious and contumacy.