2 syllables: con, tempt. Stress on tempt.
/kəˈntɛmpt/
contempt is pronounced /kəˈntɛmpt/. It has two syllables (con-tempt), with the stress on "tempt". Contempt refers to a strong feeling of disdain or scorn toward someone or something, often accompanied by a sense of moral superiority. It denotes not just dislike but a judgment that the object is unworthy of respect. In daily use, contempt can color attitudes, expressions, and actions, signaling rejection or dismissal in social interactions.
Say it backContempt refers to a strong feeling of disdain or scorn toward someone or something, often accompanied by a sense of moral superiority. It denotes not just dislike but a judgment that the object is unworthy of respect. In daily use, contempt can color attitudes, expressions, and actions, signaling rejection or dismissal in social interactions.
"Her contempt for deceit was evident in her firm refusal to negotiate with the dishonest party."
"The judge's contempt for the defendant's arrogance was obvious in his curt expressions."
"She spoke with quiet contempt, letting her words drip with sarcasm."
Pronounce as /kənˈtɛmpt/. The stress is on the second syllable. Start with a light schwa /kən/ (the first syllable reduces quickly), then a clear /ˈtɛmpt/ with a crisp /t/ and the vowel /ɛm/ as in “tempered” without the following r-sound. The final consonant is a stop /t/; ensure it’s released cleanly rather than swallowed. A helpful cue is “kun-TEMPT.”
Two main issues: 1) Sloppily merging the syllables so it sounds like ‘contempt’ with a weak second syllable; ensure you maintain the /ˈtɛmpt/ unit. 2) Weak final /t/ or voicing it as a /d/ or /p/ due to flapping in casual speech; articulate a crisp alveolar stop /t/ with a short release. Practice by isolating /tɛmpt/ and adding a slight pause before it to anchor the stress.
Across accents, the primary differences are: US and UK share /kənˈtɛmpt/ with a clear /t/ and rhotic or non-rhotic traits in context; rhoticity mainly affects surrounding vowels but not the word’s internal structure. Australian speakers typically maintain /kənˈtemp(t)/ with a slightly softened /t/ and more vowel reduction in unstressed syllables nearby. The main variance lies in the quality of the /ɪ/ vs /ɛ/ in the stressed vowel and the release of the final /t/.
The difficulty stems from the stressed /ˈtɛmpt/ cluster and the final alveolar stop: keeping the /t/ crisp in fluent speech is easy to swallow in fast talk, and many English speakers merge /t/ with a flap or a glottal stop in casual speech. Also, the transitional schwa in the first syllable //kən// can blur in rapid speech, obscuring stress. Focusing on a precise /t/ release and a sharp /ɛm/ helps.
There is no silent letter in contempt. Each letter contributes to the pronunciation: the initial /k/ is part of /k/ from the digraph /kn/ assimilation whimsy, the vowel sounds are /ə/ in the first syllable and /ɛm/ in the stressed syllable, and the final /pt/ cluster is pronounced as a distinct /p/ release followed by a /t/. Practice with the chunk /kənˈtɛmpt/ to keep all segments audible.
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Contempt originates from the Latin contemptus, past participle of continere meaning “to hold together, to restrain,” later extended to a sense of holding in disdain. The word passed into Old French as contempt and then into English in the Middle Ages, maintaining the core meaning of holding something in low regard or scorning its worth. Early uses framed contempt as a legal or moral judgment, sometimes tied to contempt of court or of authority, reflecting a public display of disrespect. Throughout Early Modern English, the term often implied moral superiority over others’ actions or beliefs, not merely personal dislike. By the 16th and 17th centuries, contempt broadened to include private disdain and contemptuous behavior, such as sneers, sarcasm, or dismissive language. In contemporary usage, contempt frequently coexists with power dynamics, where one person expresses contempt to enforce social norms or to delegitimize an opponent. The word retains its sense of gravity—an active, directed feeling rather than a passive emotion—making it a potent descriptor in both legal and literary contexts. Modern dictionaries trace the term’s usage to emphasize moral judgment and deliberate disregard, with examples spanning judicial, social, and interpersonal domains. First known use in English is documented around the 14th–15th centuries, with roots firmly anchored in Latin-derived legal and moral vocabulary that evolved alongside evolving concepts of dignity, authority, and social order.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "contempt" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "contempt" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "contempt"
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