What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dismissive
Example
She gave a dismissive wave of her hand and walked away. [dismissive: adjective]
Example
He dismissed my proposal without even listening to it. [dismissed: verb]
scornful
Example
She gave me a scornful look and turned away. [scornful: adjective]
Example
He spoke in a scornful tone, mocking my efforts. [scornful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dismissive is more commonly used than scornful in everyday language. Dismissive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while scornful is less common and is often used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dismissive and scornful?
Scornful is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone, while dismissive can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in a wider range of situations.
