Alex
What's the difference between "scorn" and "contempt", if any? For instance, are they interchangeable in such sentences: she feels scorn for anyone who doesn't like her favourite band? He felt scorn for the crime? Can you give me some more examples? Thanks in advance!
Mar 4, 2016 1:00 PM
Answers · 2
1
Hi Alex, Scorn has undertones of anger and outrage. Examples: The students felt scorn toward the cruel school bullies. The people felt scorn towards the evils committed by their government. Contempt has undertones of condescension (looking down on someone/something) and disparagement. Examples: He felt contempt toward anyone who did not believe in Science. She greeted all lower-ranking colleagues with contempt. In the examples you provided above, scorn and contempt would be interchangeable, but using one word over the other will slightly shift the meaning of the sentence. Therefore, think about the emotions you wish you convey before deciding which to use. For Instance: If you wrote 'she feels scorn for anyone who doesn't like her favourite band,' then you are suggesting this person gets very angry and uptight over seemingly trivial disagreements in musical taste. If you wrote however that 'she feels contempt for anyone who doesn't like her favourite band,' you are suggesting that she looks down (rather than feels outrage/frustration) on anyone who doesn't share similar interests in the same band. Ultimately, both words are acceptable, but you can see how they convey different shades of meaning.
March 4, 2016
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