Contemptuous and Deferent

Opposite meaning words

Contemptuous adjective - Feeling or showing open dislike for someone or something regarded as undeserving of respect or concern.

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Deferent is an antonym for contemptuous.

Deferent adjective - Marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status.

Usage example: though he's already attained star status, the rookie remains deferent to the team's veteran players

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Contemptuous is an antonym for deferent.

Cite this Source

Deferent and Contemptuous. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contemptuous/deferent

Contemptuous & Deferent. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contemptuous/deferent>.

Deferent or Contemptuous. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contemptuous/deferent.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contemptuous" and "deferent" have occurred on timeline