Sample Sentences for
contempt
grouped by contextual meaning
(editor-reviewed)

contempt as in:  feels contempt towards her

Familiarity breeds contempt.
contempt = lack of respect
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
  • He was impolite. She pretended not to notice except that she treated him with contempt.
  • The last time I saw him, he gave me a look of contempt,  (source)
  • ...maybe Paul felt only contempt and pity and hate for greasers?  (source)
    contempt = disrespect
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Show 10 more with 5 word variations
  • Now I see nothing but contempt in the glances of the Career Tributes.  (source)
    contempt = lack of respect
  • "Nearly wet himself," said Fred, with a contemptuous glance at Malfoy.  (source)
    contemptuous = showing a lack of respect
  • "He's too stupid, I couldn't be bothered," answers Mittelstaedt contemptuously.  (source)
    contemptuously = with disrespect and dislike
  • He looked through her with a contemptuousness such as she could not have imagined.  (source)
    contemptuousness = lack of respect
    standard suffix: The suffix "-ness" converts an adjective to a noun that means the quality of. This is the same pattern you see in words like darkness, kindness, and coolness.
  • He was an impartial and unexcitable umpire at all our bedlam sporting events, a master fire builder and extinguisher, and an expert, uncontemptuous first-aid man.†  (source)
    standard prefix: The prefix "un-" in uncontemptuous means not and reverses the meaning of contemptuous. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
  • I mustn't carry my indifference and contempt for her too far.  (source)
    contempt = disrespect
  • In Georgia I'd seen people angered by my father before, or intimidated, but not contemptuous.  (source)
    contemptuous = showing a lack of respect
  • "Pfah!" said Kilgas contemptuously. I don't usually have anything to do with the bigshots.  (source)
    contemptuously = disrespectfully
  • She was furious at the contemptuousness of his exit.†  (source)
  • He placed his uninjured hand in his pocket and shivered with contempt for the German wind.  (source)
    contempt = dislike and disrespect
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contempt as in:  held in contempt of court

The judge held her in contempt.
contempt = the crime of disrespect for the authority of a court
Show 3 more with this contextual meaning
  • The reporter refused to identify her source and the judge had her imprisoned for contempt of court.
  • [judge speaking:] ...you come before me on contempt charges.  (source)
    contempt = the crime of willful disrespect for the authority of a court
  • HATHORNE: I think they must both be arrested in contempt, sir.  (source)
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  • Once more, sir, and you will be cited for contempt.  (source)
    contempt = the crime of willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of a court
  • Miss Snell, this body is empowered to cite you for contempt if you refuse to answer on any other grounds than Constitutional ones.  (source)
  • The judge told Minerva if she tried one more time, she would be in contempt, and the sentence and fine would be increased.  (source)
  • M. de Villefort would stifle the affair; he had only to turn his eyes on one side, and allow Andrea to fly, and follow up the crime under that shadow of guilt called contempt of court.  (source)
    contempt = the crime of willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority
  • The magistrate huffed and ordered the prosecutor to remove Hatter from the rug or he would find himself in prison for contempt of court.  (source)
    contempt = the crime of willful disobedience of the authority of a court
  • He didn't care if it was contempt of court or what would happen to him for it.  (source)
    contempt = the crime of willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority
  • You are both in contempt of court, both of you!  (source)
  • I have been in prison for contempt of court.  (source)
  • HATHORNE: This is contempt, sir, contempt!  (source)
    contempt = the crime of willful disrespect for the authority of a court
  • He planned to cite any outburst from that group as an action in contempt of the court and have the offending person or persons dismissed for the remainder of the trial.  (source)
    contempt = the crime of willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of a court or legislative body
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