contemn

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Did not William Blake contemn reason and paint the ghost of a flea?"

From Time Magazine Archive

Young man, there is a mysterious system of ethics which the world understands not—the reputed wise, subtleize it, and the vainly wicked contemn and despise it.

From The Cavaliers of Virginia or, The Recluse of Jamestown. Vol. II by Caruthers, William A. (Alexander)

One does not contemn Calne on account of its misfortunes, but it must always have been a slipshod place.

From The Bath Road History, Fashion, & Frivolity on an Old Highway by Harper, Charles G. (Charles George)

Vile as these motives seem, they are too near akin to the general springs of human action for us to contemn them.

From A Trip to Cuba by Howe, Julia Ward

We can scarcely find words sufficiently strong to contemn the heinous practice, so prevalent with low-minded people, of repeating to their friends whatever they hear to their disadvantage.

From The Ladies' Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners or, Miss Leslie's Behaviour Book by Leslie, Eliza