contumely
4 synonyms and 4 antonyms for contumely, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Rude, scornful language or treatment meant to insult someone.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
revilement
vilification
Antonyms
Etymology
It came into English from Old French contumelie, which went back to Latin contumēlia ("insult"), perhaps built from com- + tumeō ("swell").
Full origin of contumely →