kənˈtɛmpt dɪˈspaɪt dɪsˈdeɪn dɪsɹɪˈspɛkt skɔːn skɔɹn a willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of a court or legislative body a manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous open disrespect for a person or thing lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike he was held in contempt the despite in which outsiders were held is legendary