Standard Lemma guide

contemptuously

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /kənˈtɛmp.tʃu.əs.li/
  • UK: /kənˈtɛmp.tju.əs.li/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: /kənˈtɛmp.t͡ʃu.əs.li/
  • CMU ARPABET: K AH0 N T EH1 M P CH W AH0 S L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a disrespectful or discourteous manner; condescendingly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He argued with the judge contemptuously, showing no respect or remorse for his actions.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

without respect; in a disdainful manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • she spoke of him contemptuously

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: disdainfully, scornfully, contumeliously

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English contemptuous Middle English -ly English -ly English contemptuously From contemptuous + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Armenian: արհամարհաբար (arhamarhabar) — in a disrespectful or discourteous manner
  • Armenian: քամահրանքով (kʻamahrankʻov) — in a disrespectful or discourteous manner
  • Finnish: halveksien — in a disrespectful or discourteous manner
  • Finnish: halveksuvasti — in a disrespectful or discourteous manner
  • Italian: irrispettosamente — in a disrespectful or discourteous manner
  • Italian: sprezzantemente — in a disrespectful or discourteous manner
  • Latin: contemptim — in a disrespectful or discourteous manner
  • Macedonian: пре́зриво (prézrivo) — in a disrespectful or discourteous manner
  • Macedonian: пре́зирно (prézirno) — in a disrespectful or discourteous manner
  • Russian: презри́тельно (prezrítelʹno) — in a disrespectful or discourteous manner
  • Russian: снисходи́тельно (snisxodítelʹno) — in a disrespectful or discourteous manner