What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Decry vs Contemn - What's the difference?

decry | contemn |

As verbs the difference between decry and contemn

is that decry is to denounce as harmful while contemn is (archaic) to disdain; to value at little or nothing; to treat or regard with contempt.

decry

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To denounce as harmful.
  • * 1970 , Alvin Toffler, Future Shock'', ''Bantam Books , pg. 99:
    • All of us seem to need some totalistic relationships in our lives. But to decry the fact that we cannot have only such relationships is nonsense.
  • * 1970 , Alvin Toffler, Future Shock'', ''Bantam Books , pg. 474:
    • While decrying bureaucracy and demanding participatory democracy they, themselves, frequently attempt to manipulate the very group of workers, blacks or students on whose behalf they demand participation.
  • To blame for ills.

    • References

    * Chambers's Etymological Dictionary , 1896, p. 114 * * *

    Anagrams

    *

    contemn

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To disdain; to value at little or nothing; to treat or regard with contempt.
  • *

    • Synonyms

    * despise, scorn * See also

    Related terms

    * contemner * contempt * contemptibility * contemptible * contemptibly * contemptuous