Emotion: Contempt

When you want to write the emotion contempt, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid showing not telling and immerse your readers in your story.

Contempt is a feeling of disdain or lack of respect towards someone or something. It is the expression of a belief that someone or something is worthless, inferior, or deserving of disdain. It is often associated with a sense of superiority and can be expressed through tone of voice, facial expressions, or body language. Contempt can be a powerful tool for character development, particularly in creating complex and flawed characters.

Different Types of Contempt

Here are some different types of contempt:

• Disrespectful contempt: a feeling of disdain or lack of respect towards someone or something
• Moral contempt: a belief that someone or something is morally inferior or wrong
• Self-contempt: a feeling of disgust or self-loathing towards oneself
• Intellectual contempt: a belief that someone is intellectually inferior or incompetent

Situations Associated with Contempt

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of contempt:

• Feeling superior or morally superior to others
• Being disappointed or dissatisfied with someone or something
• Feeling disdain or disgust towards someone or something
• Holding a grudge against someone or something
• Perceiving someone or something as unworthy or inferior
• Feeling insulted or offended by someone or something
• Seeing someone or something as a threat to their ego or status
• Experiencing betrayal or deception from someone or something
• Feeling rejected or marginalized by a group or individual

Physical Reactions to Contempt

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing contempt might have:

• Curling of the upper lip
• Eye-rolling or narrowing of the eyes
• Sneering or smirking
• Crossing arms or legs in a defensive manner
• Tilting the head back slightly
• Speaking in a condescending or dismissive tone
• Ignoring or interrupting the person speaking
• Making sarcastic or belittling remarks
• Displaying a lack of interest or engagement in the conversation

It's important to note that these signs and behaviors can vary from person to person and context to context, but they can be useful in creating a character who displays contempt.

Thoughts Associated with Contempt

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing contempt might have:

• I can't believe they think they can talk to me like that.
• They're not worth my time or attention.
• I'm so much better than them, why do I even bother?
• I can't stand being around them.
• They don't deserve my respect.
• I'm above them in every way.
• I can see right through their lies and manipulation.
• They disgust me with their actions and behavior.
• They're not even worth getting angry over.

Atmosphere of Contempt

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of contempt in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Create a physical environment that reflects the character's feeling of superiority or disdain, such as a luxurious mansion or an exclusive club that only the elite can access.
• Show how the character interacts with their surroundings, such as scoffing at the furniture or sneering at the people around them.
• Use language that conveys a sense of superiority, such as using formal or academic vocabulary or speaking in a condescending tone.
• Show the character's body language, such as crossing their arms or rolling their eyes, to indicate their contempt towards others.
• Use contrasting elements to emphasize the character's disdain, such as having them in an opulent setting but showing them bored or unimpressed.
• Have the character make derogatory comments or insults towards other characters or the setting itself.

Verbs Associated with Contempt

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of contempt:

• Disdain
• Scorn
• Disrespect
• Deride
• Belittle
• Mock
• Insult
• Sneer
• Reject
• Ignore
• Condescend
• Disregard
• Demean
• Repudiate

Emotions Before Contempt

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences contempt:

• Anger
• Disgust
• Disappointment
• Frustration
• Irritation
• Skepticism

Emotions After Contempt

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences contempt:

• Anger
• Disgust
• Frustration
• Disappointment
• Disapproval
• Resentment
• Hostility
• Bitterness
• Hatred
• Indignation
• Outrage
• Defensiveness
• Hurt
• Betrayal
• Alienation
• Isolation
• Withdrawal
• Depression
• Hopelessness

Telling Contempt Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion contempt in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• She looked at him with utter contempt.
• His words made her feel contemptuous towards him.
• Contempt filled her as she watched him fail.
• He smirked with contempt at her suggestion.
• She felt nothing but contempt for the arrogant man.
• His actions only solidified her contempt for him.
• Contempt dripped from her words as she spoke to him.
• She couldn't hide the contempt in her tone.
• He felt a surge of contempt towards his rival.

Practical Examples of Showing Contempt

Here are some examples of showing contempt in a sentence:

• She rolled her eyes and scoffed at his attempts to impress her.
• He sneered at the idea of working with someone as incompetent as her.
• She spoke with a condescending tone, making it clear she thought she was superior.
• He dismissed her suggestions with a wave of his hand, as if they were beneath him.

Exercises for Showing Contempt

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing contempt:

• Think of a person, object, or idea that your character dislikes or looks down upon. Write a scene where your character interacts with it, revealing their contempt through their thoughts, words, and actions.
• Write a monologue or a letter from the perspective of your character, expressing their disdain towards someone or something. Use descriptive language to convey their feelings and attitudes.
• Write a dialogue between your character and someone they hold in contempt. Use sarcasm, irony, or mocking humor to show their contemptuous behavior.
• Write a scene where your character witnesses an event or behavior that confirms their contempt towards someone or something. Use their reactions, body language, and inner thoughts to reveal their feelings.
• Create a backstory for your character that explains why they hold certain beliefs or values that lead to their contemptuous behavior. Use flashbacks or memories to explore their past experiences.
• Write a scene where your character is forced to confront their own contemptuous behavior. Use a supporting character to challenge their beliefs and attitudes, leading to a realization or a change of heart.

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full emotions list.