How do you use the word "scorn" in a sentence?

Q: How do you use the word "scorn" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "scorn": Silence is the most perfect expression of scorn. His face and attitude showed the scorn he felt.

Scorn Meaning

/skɔːn/

Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

verbTo feel or display contempt or disdain for something or somebody; to despise.

verbTo reject, turn down with disdain.

Sentence Examples

Silence is the most perfect expression of scorn.

His face and attitude showed the scorn he felt.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

reject despite disdain

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

His cruel jokes about the poor girl filled everyone with ____ for his nasty behavior.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

She treated his suggestion with open ____, refusing to even consider its merits.

Word Origin & History

Verb from Middle English scornen, schornen, alteration of Old French escharnir, from Vulgar Latin *escarnire, from Proto-West Germanic *skarnijan, possibly from Proto-Germanic *skeraną (“to shear”) (from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to cut”)), or possibly related to *skarną (“dung, filth”) (from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱerd-, *(s)ḱer- (“dung, manure, filth”)). Noun from Old French escarn (cognate with Portuguese escárnio, Spanish escarnio and Italian scherno). Cognate with Middle High German schern (“joke, mockery, scorn”), Old English sċierniċġe (“female entertainer, juggler, actress”).

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"The Cry is ſtill, they come: our Caſtles ſtrength / Will laugh a Siedge to ſcorne" — c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene v], page 150:

"We scorn what is in itself contemptible or disgraceful." — 1871, C. J. Smith, Synonyms Discriminated:

"Heav'n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn'd, / Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman ſcorn'd." — 1697, [William] Congreve, The Mourning Bride, a Tragedy. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, Act III, page 39:

"For miſerie doth braueſt mindes abate, / And make them ſeeke for that they wont to ſcorne, / Of fortune and of hope at once forlorne." — 1578–1579, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale. [...] Dedicated to the Right Honorable the Ladie Compton and Mountegle”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. Whereof the Next Page Maketh Mention, London: Imprinted for William Ponsonbie, dwelling in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Bishops head, published 1591, →OCLC:

"Rain of tears, real, mist of imagined scorn" — 1967, John Berryman, Berryman’s Sonnets, New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux:

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