Contumely (Noun)
Meaning
A rude expression intended to offend or hurt; "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team".
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The celebrity's sarcastic remark was a contumely directed at her rival that sparked a heated feud on social media.
- Each time her opponent spoke, she responded with a contumely that made the audience cringe at its harshness.
- Their confrontation on the field ended with the coach yelling a stream of contumely that left the young player in tears.
- His enemies hurled vicious contumely his way after the announcement of his candidacy for public office.
- The social activist endured a deluge of online contumely after speaking out against the injustices perpetrated by powerful corporations.