What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contempt
Example
He looked at her with contempt in his eyes. [contempt: noun]
Example
She spoke with contempt about her ex-husband. [contempt: noun]
disdain
Example
She felt disdain towards the new employee who made a mistake. [disdain: noun]
Example
He disdained the idea of working for a company that didn't align with his values. [disdained: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contempt is more commonly used than disdain in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contempt and disdain?
Both contempt and disdain are considered formal words, but contempt is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
