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Scornful vs Contemptuously - What's the difference?

scornful | contemptuously |

As an adjective scornful

is showing scorn or disrespect; contemptuous.

As an adverb contemptuously is

in a disrespectful or discourteous manner; condescendingly.

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."
  • contemptuously

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In a disrespectful or discourteous manner; condescendingly.
  • He argued with the judge contemptuously , showing no respect or remorse for his actions.
  • * 1867 , , chapter 4
  • 'They haven't no more philosophy nor political economy about 'em than that,' said the beadle, snapping his fingers contemptuously .
  • * 1986 , Treatise on Constitutional Law: Substance and Procedure , Volume 3?, page 36
  • Under the statute an individual who "publicly mutilates, tramples upon, defaces or treats contemptuously the flag of the United States" was subject to criminal liability.
  • * 1994 , Joseph Veramo, Moving through the Streets: A Novel? , page 39
  • The girl looked at Onisi contemptuously , then laughed jeeringly. He was then six years old and didn't know how to speak in English so he couldn't understand what she was saying but he sensed that it was derogatory.

    Synonyms

    * (in a disrespectful manner) condescendingly, disdainfully, disrespectfully