DISDAINFUL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does disdainful mean? 

• DISDAINFUL (adjective)
  The adjective DISDAINFUL has 2 senses:

1. expressing extreme contempt

2. having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

  Familiarity information: DISDAINFUL used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DISDAINFUL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Expressing extreme contempt

Synonyms:

contemptuous; disdainful; insulting; scornful

Similar:

disrespectful (exhibiting lack of respect; rude and discourteous)

Derivation:

disdainfulness (the trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

Synonyms:

disdainful; haughty; imperious; lordly; overbearing; prideful; sniffy; supercilious; swaggering

Context example:

a more swaggering mood than usual

Similar:

proud (feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride)

Derivation:

disdainfulness (the trait of displaying arrogance by patronizing those considered inferior)

 Context examples 

"What silly questions you ask!" And Jo gave a disdainful shrug as the rest laughed at Laurie's matter-of-fact tone.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

On my return to Norwood, after the period of absence occasioned by my brother's marriage, pursued Miss Murdstone in a disdainful voice, and on the return of Miss Spenlow from her visit to her friend Miss Mills, I imagined that the manner of Miss Spenlow gave me greater occasion for suspicion than before.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He put the question rather hurriedly; he seemed half to expect an indignant, or at least a disdainful rejection of the offer: not knowing all my thoughts and feelings, though guessing some, he could not tell in what light the lot would appear to me.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

They were not much interested in anything relative to Anne; but still there were questions enough asked, to make it understood what this old schoolfellow was; and Elizabeth was disdainful, and Sir Walter severe.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)