scornful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "scornful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that expresses contempt or disdain. For example: The scornful look on her face showed her disdain for the proposal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead today, he barely mentioned the Lib Dems, pouring all his scorn on the Conservatives, with occasional scornful swipes at the Lib Dem Nick Clegg, suggesting he was a closet Tory.

The Economist

Yorkshire's spokesman, Peter Box of Wakefield, was scornful of Leese's capitulation on mayors.

The Guardian

Wilson was loquacious, self-justifying, scornful, though anxious to please, fundamentally warm-hearted.

The Guardian

"Shelley is my only biological child, but she and Cass and Maya always look out for each other and if I become infirm and need care, she's not going to be on her own thinking, 'I'm the only child.'" Plus, age has softened her: having been scornful of the word mum, she is very happy to be known as grandma.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I remember being quite scornful of it at the time and still think it sounds like a genre of music popular in the working men's clubs of Lancashire on karaoke night.

The Guardian

Anyway, some other gay men especially felt that his comments cast effeminacy in an unduly scornful light.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But they may still not be prepared for a long campaign in Najaf, in Baghdad's Shia slums and in all the towns across the south where the Mahdi Army has support.A resident of Najaf, who loathes the militants, was scornful of the Iraqi forces' capabilities.

The Economist

Among its investors is Sean Parker, Facebook's founding president.Many private bankers are openly scornful of such do-it-yourself wealth management.

The Economist

Their electorates will be subjected to a barrage of propaganda from other parties but will not be able to see how local leaders Alex Salmond and Ieuan Wyn Jones match up.The three bigger British parties are scornful; neither nationalist has any hope of being prime minister, they say, even if they were Westminster parliamentary candidates, which neither is.

The Economist

That threw something of a cloud over the election: National was slow in picking a candidate and mismanaged its campaign; early on, Mr Key was scornful of Mr Peters's chances.

The Economist

This image is of a nation largely united in relief at the Brothers' abrupt exit, proud of its army and police, and scornful of the malingering few, including foreign journalists, who question the wisdom of Egypt's chosen path.The presidential elections set to unfold on May 26th and 27th look sure to consecrate this image.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's behavior, use "scornful" to highlight their sense of superiority and disapproval.

Common error

While "scornful" is appropriate in many situations, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Consider milder alternatives like "critical" or "disapproving" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "scornful" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe someone or something that expresses contempt or disdain. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scornful" is an adjective used to describe someone or something expressing contempt or disdain. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in very formal contexts. Related terms include "contemptuous" and "disdainful", each carrying subtle nuances. Remember to use "scornful" when you want to emphasize a strong feeling of contempt and be mindful of your audience when choosing to deploy the word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contemptuous

Directly expresses a feeling of contempt.

disdainful

Suggests a feeling of superiority and rejection.

derisive

Focuses on mocking and ridiculing.

mocking

Implies mimicking with the intent to ridicule.

sarcastic

Uses irony to convey contempt.

cynical

Suggests a distrustful and pessimistic view.

belittling

Focuses on making something seem unimportant.

patronizing

Suggests treating someone with condescension.

dismissive

Indicates a lack of interest or importance.

supercilious

Expresses haughty disdain.

FAQs

How can I use "scornful" in a sentence?

You can use "scornful" to describe a person's expression, words, or actions. For example, "She gave a "scornful look"" or "He made a "scornful remark"".

What words are similar to "scornful"?

Synonyms for "scornful" include "contemptuous", "disdainful", and "derisive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "scornful" or "disdainful"?

"Scornful" and "disdainful" are similar, but "scornful" emphasizes the feeling of contempt, while "disdainful" highlights a sense of superiority. Choose the word that best fits the context.

What is the difference between "scornful" and "sarcastic"?

"Scornful" expresses direct contempt or disdain. "Sarcastic", on the other hand, uses irony or mockery to convey contempt, often indirectly.