scorn
A strong feeling that someone or something is useless and deserves no respect.
scorn in a sentence
- The proud cat looked at the muddy dog with utter scorn and turned away.
- The knight looked at the rusty sword with scorn, calling it useless junk fit only for the bin.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to scorn?
- Acontempt
- Blove
- Crespect
- Dpraise
Show the answer
A: contempt. The other three mean the opposite of scorn.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to scorn?
- Acontempt
- Bmockery
- Crespect
Show the answer
C: respect. The other three mean nearly the same as scorn.
Words that mean something similar
contempt, mockery
Words that mean the opposite
respect, praise, love
More words about emotions & feelings
- seethe: To be so angry inside that you feel like you are boiling.
- serene: Calm, peaceful and untroubled.
- solemn: Very serious and not smiling.
- soothe: To make someone feel calmer or to make pain gentler.
- spellbound: So amazed or interested that you cannot look away.
- subdued: Quieter and less lively than usual.
- sullen: Silent and bad-tempered, refusing to be cheerful.
- tantalise: To tease someone by showing them something they want but cannot have.
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