disdain

/dis-ˈdān/

Middle English desdeyne, from Anglo-French desdaign, from desdeigner seedisdain

noun

  1. a feeling of contempt for someone or something regarded as unworthy or inferior : scorn

verb

  1. to look on with scorn

  2. to refuse or abstain from because of a feeling of contempt or scorn

  3. to treat as beneath one's notice or dignity

disdained him as a coward

despise contemn scorn disdain mean to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration. despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing. contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.