What does contemptuous mean?

• A. Showing respect or admiration
• B. Showing disdain or lack of respect
• C. A lack of understanding
• D. A monetary penalty

Answer: (B)

Contemptuous means showing disdain or lack of respect toward someone or something. It describes a manner, tone, or attitude that treats the other person as unworthy of consideration, often with scornful or dismissive words or gestures. That sense of disdain and disrespect is exactly what the term conveys, as in a contemptuous remark or a contemptuous glare. The other options don’t fit: showing respect or admiration is the opposite, a lack of understanding is about knowledge, and a monetary penalty is unrelated to attitude or behavior.