con·tempt 
/kənˈtɛmpt/ noun
/kənˈtɛmpt/ noun 1 : a feeling that someone or something is not worthy of any respect or approval [noncount] ▪ He feels that wealthy people view/regard him with contempt because he is poor. ▪ He spoke with contempt in his voice. ▪ She has contempt for them. = She holds them in contempt. [singular] ▪ She has displayed a profound contempt for her opponents. 2 : a lack of respect for or fear of something that is usually respected or feared [noncount] ▪ They have acted with contempt for public safety. [=they have completely ignored public safety] [singular] ▪ He has contempt for danger. [=he ignores danger; he is not afraid of doing things that other people are afraid to do] 3 [noncount] law : speech or behavior that does not show proper respect to a court or judge
▪ She was arrested for contempt of court. ▪ He was held in contempt [=considered by the court to have broken the law by disobeying or disrespecting the judge] for his outbursts during the trial.
▪ She was arrested for contempt of court. ▪ He was held in contempt [=considered by the court to have broken the law by disobeying or disrespecting the judge] for his outbursts during the trial.
beneath contempt
: completely bad or worthless — used to describe someone or something that is too bad to deserve any respect ▪ She's a liar who is beneath contempt.
familiarity breeds contempt — see familiarity
