noun
- harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt; insulting or abusive words or actions
Usage: formal; literary; plural form of contumely
Examples
- The politician endured the contumelies of his critics with dignity.
- She refused to respond to their contumelies and maintained her composure.
- The memoir detailed the contumelies he suffered during his imprisonment.
- Despite facing public contumelies, the reformer continued his work.
- The courtroom erupted when the defendant hurled contumelies at the judge.
- Historical accounts describe the contumelies inflicted upon the defeated army.