scorn

To show that you think someone or something is worthless or beneath you.

• They scorn people who ask for help.
• She scorned his advice about money.
• He scorned to explain himself to the crowd.

How to use it: scorn someone/something (She scorned their old-fashioned ideas.); scorn to do something (He scorned to answer such a foolish question.)

Similar words: despise, disdain, look down on

Opposites: respect

Common phrases: scorn someone’s advice, scorn an idea, scorn to do

To refuse something because you think it is not worth accepting.

• She scorned his offer of help.
• He scorned every invitation from the club.
• They scorned the proposal without even discussing it.

Similar words: reject, spurn, disdain

Opposites: accept

Common phrases: scorn an offer, scorn someone’s advances, scorn an invitation

A strong feeling that someone or something is worthless and deserves no respect.

• His voice was full of scorn.
• She showed scorn for their excuses.
• Critics poured scorn on the new policy.

How to use it: scorn for someone/something (He expressed scorn for the dishonest officials.); pour scorn on someone/something (She poured scorn on his suggestion.); with scorn (They greeted the claim with scorn.)

Similar words: contempt, disdain

Opposites: respect, admiration

Common phrases: scorn for someone, pour scorn on, with scorn