disdain
12 synonyms and 8 antonyms for disdain, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A feeling of contempt or scorn toward someone or something seen as beneath you.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A feeling of contempt or scorn toward someone or something seen as beneath you.
“He looked at the offer with obvious disdain.”
Opposites
How to use disdain
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
treat with disdain
disdain for
look on with disdain
Etymology
From Old French desdeignier, ultimately from Latin dignus ("worthy") with a negating prefix — literally "to consider unworthy."
Full origin of disdain →Frequently asked questions
What does “disdain” mean?
The word “disdain” means a feeling of contempt or scorn toward someone or something seen as beneath you. In plain terms, looking down on someone or something as unworthy of respect.
How do you pronounce “disdain”?
“Disdain” is pronounced dihs-DAYN (/dɪsˈdeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “disdain” in a sentence?
Here is “disdain” used in a sentence: “He looked at the offer with obvious disdain.”
What is another word for “disdain”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disdain” include abomination, condescension, contempt, despisal, scorn and abominate.
What is the opposite of “disdain”?
The opposite of “disdain” — its antonyms — are adoration, admiration, honor, respect and reverence.
What part of speech is “disdain”?
Depending on how it is used, “disdain” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “disdain” come from?
The word “disdain” comes from Latin. From Old French desdeignier, ultimately from Latin dignus ("worthy") with a negating prefix — literally "to consider unworthy.".
Is “disdain” a common word?
“Disdain” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
