disdain
A feeling that someone or something is not worth your respect.
disdain in a sentence
- The cat looked at the cheap food with disdain, sniffed it once, and stalked away.
- The famous chef sniffed with disdain at the soggy chips, saying they were not worth eating.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to disdain?
- Arespect
- Bliking
- Cscorn
- Dadmiration
Show the answer
C: scorn. The other three mean the opposite of disdain.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to disdain?
- Adislike
- Bscorn
- Cdisgust
- Drespect
Show the answer
D: respect. The other three mean nearly the same as disdain.
Words that mean something similar
scorn, dislike, disgust
Words that mean the opposite
respect, admiration, liking
More words about emotions & feelings
- dismay: A shocked, worried feeling when something unpleasant happens.
- distraught: So upset and worried that you can hardly think.
- distress: Great worry, sadness or pain.
- downcast: Sad and low, often looking at the ground.
- dread: A strong fear of something that is going to happen.
- dumbfounded: So amazed that you cannot speak.
- eager: Very keen and excited to do something.
- ecstatic: So happy that you can hardly contain it.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test