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Contemptuous vs Scornful - What's the difference?

contemptuous | scornful |

Scornful is a synonym of contemptuous.



As adjectives the difference between contemptuous and scornful

is that contemptuous is showing contempt; expressing disdain; showing a lack of respect while scornful is showing scorn or disrespect; contemptuous.

contemptuous

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Showing contempt; expressing disdain; showing a lack of respect.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)
    • , chapter=5, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=The most rapid and most seductive transition in all human nature is that which attends the palliation of a ravenous appetite.

    Derived terms

    * contemptuously

    Related terms

    * contempt

    scornful

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Showing scorn or disrespect; contemptuous.
  • *
  • *:Elbows almost touching they leaned at ease, idly reading the almost obliterated lines engraved there. ΒΆ ("I never) understood it," she observed, lightly scornful . "What occult meaning has a sun-dial for the spooney? I'm sure I don't want to read riddles in a strange gentleman's optics."