noun
- harsh language or treatment arising from haughtiness and contempt; insulting display of contempt in words or actions
Usage: formal; literary
Examples
- The prisoner endured the contumely of his captors with dignity.
- She responded to their contumely with quiet grace.
- The critic’s review was filled with contumely toward the young author.
- He could no longer bear the daily contumely from his supervisor.
- The speech was marked by contumely rather than constructive criticism.
- Despite facing public contumely, she continued her work.