Contempt meaning in English

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Definition

contempt: scorn, disdain, disrespect, disregard noun

My mother-in-law always greets me with contempt. She has always hated me and it shows.

contemptuous scornful, arrogant, sneering, insulting

Pronunciation examples

UK: I will hold you in contempt of court.

US: My mother-in-law always greets me with contempt.

Examples

"It then became infected after he refused medical attention, citing his lifelong contempt for modern medicine."
"In spite of my blinding rage and abiding contempt for you, my yoga guru has advised me that expressing myself to you via a letter may prove therapeutic, which is why I am penning the present missive from my retreat, high atop the Himalayan peaks."

Exercise 1

Kevin writes that his grandfather refused medical attention, "citing his lifelong contempt for modern medicine".

Which of the following statements best explains the meaning of this phrase?

Grandfather disliked doctors and hospitals throughout his life.

Grandfather has always been afraid of doctors and hospitals.

Grandfather has had a long life because of the efforts of doctors and hospitals.

Grandfather has always secretly wanted to be a doctor.

I don't know

Kevin writes that his grandfather refused medical attention, "citing his lifelong contempt for modern medicine".

Which of the following statements best explains the meaning of this phrase?

Grandfather disliked doctors and hospitals throughout his life.

Grandfather has "contempt" for modern medicine, which means that he "despises", or greatly dislikes doctors and hospitals. The noun "contempt" expresses a strong, intense distaste or distrust for something.

Grandfather has always been afraid of doctors and hospitals.

"To have contempt for someone or something" expresses "dislike" or even "hatred" of a person or thing. This statement has nothing to do with "fear" or being afraid of hospitals and doctors.

Grandfather has had a long life because of the efforts of doctors and hospitals.

Grandfather does not say this. "A lifelong belief" is a belief that someone has had throughout their life. To have "contempt" for something is to dislike or hate it.

Grandfather has always secretly wanted to be a doctor.

Grandfather has always expressed his contempt for modern medicine, meaning that he has never liked doctors or hospitals. His statement doesn't express that Grandfather always wanted to be a doctor.

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