Contemptible vs. Contemptuous
“Contemptible” means deserving contempt; “contemptuous” describes showing or expressing contempt. A contemptuous person or expression shows disdain; a contemptible act or person is judged worthy of disdain.
“Contemptible” means deserving contempt; “contemptuous” describes showing or expressing contempt.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| a person, act, or thing deserves contempt | contemptible | Use the adjective for what merits contempt. |
| a person, look, tone, or remark shows contempt | contemptuous | Use the adjective for an attitude or expression of contempt. |
| you are describing the emotion itself | contempt | Use the noun rather than either adjective. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you saying that the subject deserves contempt?
If yes: Use “contemptible.”
If no: If the subject is showing contempt, use “contemptuous.”
Caveat: Choose by the documented meaning or construction; a different pattern may be valid in a different sentence structure or variety.
Examples
The fraud was a contemptible abuse of trust.
The act is judged as deserving contempt.
She gave the proposal a contemptuous glance.
The glance expresses contempt.
His contemptuous tone made the contemptible remark even harsher.
The two adjectives perform different semantic jobs in the same sentence.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Contemptible” means deserving contempt; “contemptuous” describes showing or expressing contempt.
Fast Test
Ask whether something deserves contempt (“contemptible”) or displays contempt (“contemptuous”).
Usage Boundary
A contemptuous person or expression shows disdain; a contemptible act or person is judged worthy of disdain.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Contemptible — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct dictionary evidence that contemptible describes something or someone deserving contempt.
- Contemptuous — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct dictionary evidence that contemptuous describes showing or expressing contempt.