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# contempt

noun (contempt — uncountable)

«contempt» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Contempt is the feeling that someone or something is worthless and does not deserve any respect. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contempt/#m1)
2. (law) Contempt of court is the crime of disobeying a court or being rude to a judge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contempt/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories, contempt tells the reader a character looks down on someone, often shown by a sneer, a cold voice or turning away; it is stronger than dislike. Phrases: «with contempt», «hold someone in contempt», «beneath contempt» (so bad it does not even deserve contempt), «familiarity breeds contempt» (a saying: knowing something too well can make you stop respecting it), «contempt of court».

### Examples

- The queen looked at the beggar with contempt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contempt/#x1)
- She spoke to the new boy with open contempt, and the teacher stopped her. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contempt/#x2)
- Bullying someone for being poor is beneath contempt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contempt/#x3)
- The villain laughed with contempt at the hero's tiny sword. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contempt/#x4)
- The man was jailed for contempt of court after shouting at the judge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contempt/#x5)
- Treat people with respect, not contempt, even when you disagree. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contempt/#x6)
- His contempt for the rules got the whole team disqualified. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contempt/#x7)
- “Because we’re told to,” said the troop-horse, with a snort of contempt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contempt/#x8)

### Note

Uncountable: say «contempt», not «a contempt» or «contempts». Adjectives: contemptuous (showing contempt: a contemptuous look) and contemptible (deserving contempt: a contemptible lie) — they are easy to mix up. Opposite: respect, admiration.

## In Jewish tradition

Scorn, shame, or disgrace, often brought on people by their own bad deeds or by God's judgment.

**Interpretation.** The wisdom books teach that wickedness leads to shame, and God lowers the proud.

### Examples

- So will there arise enough contempt and wrath. (Writings EST.1.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/contempt/#x1)
- He poureth contempt upon princes, and looseth the belt of the strong. (Writings JOB.12.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/contempt/#x2)
- When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. (Writings PRO.18.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/contempt/#x3)

### Note

Uncountable: say «contempt», not «a contempt» or «contempts». Adjectives: contemptuous (showing contempt: a contemptuous look) and contemptible (deserving contempt: a contemptible lie) — they are easy to mix up. Opposite: respect, admiration.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «contempt» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/contempt/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«contempt» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/contempt.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «contempt» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/contempt/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«contempt» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/contempt.html) on Mova free.