Meaning & use
disdain
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Meanings
noununcountableformal
A strong feeling that someone or something is not worthy of respect.
Grammar: Usually follows have/show/feel or the preposition for: disdain for cruelty.
Patterns
- disdain for something
- with disdain
- hold someone in disdain
Her voice showed clear disdain for the unfair rule.
He answered the rumor with cold disdain.
verbtransitiveformaldisapproving
To regard a person or thing as beneath respect and treat them accordingly.
Grammar: Takes an object: disdain an offer; do not add for after the verb.
Patterns
- disdain someone
- disdain something
- disdain an offer
They disdain advice from people they consider less experienced.
She disdained the easy path and took the harder one.
verbtransitiveformal
To refuse to do something because you consider it beneath your dignity.
Grammar: Often followed by to or an -ing clause: disdain to reply / disdain replying.
Patterns
- disdain to do something
- disdain doing something
He disdained to ask for help twice.
She disdained complaining in public.
Word forms
| third person singular | disdains |
|---|---|
| past tense | disdained |
| past participle | disdained |
| -ing form | disdaining |
Common combinations
- with disdain
- The manager looked at the messy report with disdain.
- disdain for something
- Their disdain for waste shaped the whole project.
- barely concealed disdain
- Her smile hid barely concealed disdain.
Synonyms and how they differ
- contempt
- Very close, but contempt can be colder and more total than disdain.
- scorn
- Scorn is sharper and more openly mocking than disdain.
- condescension
- Condescension stresses a patronizing manner, not only a private feeling.
Opposites
Word family
- disdainful adjective
- Showing that you think someone or something is unworthy.
- disdainfully adverb
- In a way that shows disdain.
Commonly confused: disdain or disdain?
disdain vs disdain
The noun usually takes for; the verb takes a direct object without for.
Practice
She spoke ___ the cheap imitation, refusing to praise it.
Choose one answer.
With disdain is the natural adverbial phrase for manner. In disdain for mixes the noun pattern incorrectly after speak.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “disdain”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.