Affection and Contempt

Affection

Affection noun - A feeling of strong or constant regard for and dedication to someone.

Contempt is an antonym for affection.

Contempt

Contempt noun - Open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect.
Usage example: my undying contempt for people who abuse animals

Affection is an antonym for contempt in topics: disdain, state of disgrace.

How words are described

high high affection high contempt
clear clear affection clear contempt
particular particular affection particular contempt
genuine genuine affection genuine contempt
Other adjectives: sheer, deep, open, obvious, overt, simple, strong, actual, constant, extreme, great, secret, general, mutual, casual, immense, growing.

Both words in one sentence

  • Series / Glee The implication is that the nicknames are a way for Sue to express contempt, respect or possibly even affection without losing her Drill Sergeant Nasty persona.
    Source: Series / Glee
  • You Do Not Want To Know: though never made explicit, Clarence's affection for May is excessive, creepy, and causes May to hold Clarense in particular contempt The Woobie: Clownfish is definitely a woobie.
  • Western Animation / Muppet Babies Produce Pelting:Fozzie: "Something tells me I oughta give up comedy and go into the tomato sauce business." Rejection Affection: Gonzo continually woos Piggy, despite her greeting his advances with contempt and karate chops.
Cite this Source
Contempt and Affection. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 07, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/affection/contempt
Affection & Contempt. N.p., 2016. Web. 07 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/affection/contempt>.
Contempt or Affection. 2016. Accessed August 07, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/affection/contempt.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "affection" and "contempt" have occurred on timeline