Contempt vs. Anger — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 1, 2024
Contempt involves disdain or scorn towards someone or something, seeing them as beneath consideration, while anger is a strong feeling of displeasure or hostility, often due to perceived wrongs.
Difference Between Contempt and Anger
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Contempt is an emotion that denotes a deep lack of respect for someone or something, often coupled with feelings of intense dislike or scorn. It signifies viewing the other as inferior or unworthy of respect. Anger, on the other hand, is a more general emotional response to frustration, injustice, or harm, characterized by antagonism towards someone or something believed to have deliberately caused an offense.
While contempt carries a sense of superiority and dismissal, anger does not inherently include a judgment of superiority. Instead, anger typically arises from a sense of injury or threat and seeks to address or rectify the perceived wrong. Contempt, however, implies a permanent negative valuation of another's character or worth, suggesting that the object of contempt is not deserving of consideration or positive engagement.
In the context of relationships, contempt can be particularly destructive, often signaling a deep rift or a dismissal of the other's worth, which can be difficult to repair. Anger, while potentially harmful, is generally seen as a more temporary and solvable issue if addressed through communication and problem-solving.
Interpersonally, contempt might manifest through sarcasm, mocking, or condescension, aiming to demean or devalue the other. Anger's manifestations can be more varied, including yelling, silent treatment, or physical expressions of frustration, but it is usually more about expressing hurt or dissatisfaction rather than devaluation.
The resolution of contempt requires a fundamental change in how one views the object of contempt, often necessitating empathy and understanding to overcome. Anger resolution, by contrast, often involves addressing the specific grievances or misunderstandings that led to the emotional response, which may be simpler by comparison.
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Comparison Chart
Emotion Type
Disdain or scorn
Displeasure or hostility
Focus
Lack of respect, superiority
Perceived wrong or threat
Relationship Impact
Destructive, hard to repair
Potentially harmful, but solvable
Manifestation
Sarcasm, mocking, condescension
Yelling, silent treatment, physical frustration
Resolution
Requires changing fundamental views
Involves addressing grievances or misunderstandings
Compare with Definitions
Contempt
Feeling of disdain for something seen as worthless.
His look of contempt left her feeling devalued.
Anger
Strong displeasure towards perceived wrongs.
Anger boiled within him at the injustice.
Contempt
Superiority and dismissal toward others.
She held a contempt for those who didn’t share her taste in music.
Anger
Involves addressing specific grievances.
Understanding the root of his anger was key to moving forward.
Contempt
Requires empathy to resolve.
Overcoming contempt necessitated a new foundation of empathy and understanding.
Anger
Not inherently about superiority.
His anger stemmed from hurt, not from feeling superior.
Contempt
Often expressed through sarcasm or mocking.
Their contempt for the project was clear through their sarcastic remarks.
Anger
Can manifest as hostility or frustration.
Her anger was evident in her sharp tone.
Contempt
Difficult to overcome in relationships.
Contempt between partners can lead to an irrevocable breakdown.
Anger
Solvable through communication.
They resolved their anger through open dialogue.
Contempt
Contempt is a pattern of attitudes and behaviour, often towards an individual or group, but sometimes towards an ideology, which has the characteristics of disgust and anger.The word originated in 1393 in Old French contempt, contemps, from the Latin word contemptus meaning "scorn". It is the past participle of contemnere and from con- intensive prefix + temnere "to slight, scorn".
Anger
A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility
The colonel's anger at his daughter's disobedience
Contempt
The feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration
Pam stared at the girl with total contempt
It is no wonder journalists are held in such contempt
Anger
Fill (someone) with anger; provoke anger in
He was angered that he had not been told
She was angered by his terse answer
Contempt
The feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn.
Anger
A strong feeling of displeasure or hostility.
Contempt
The state of being despised or dishonored
Was held in contempt by his former friends.
Anger
To make angry; enrage or provoke.
Contempt
Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.
Anger
To become angry
She angers too quickly.
Contempt
(uncountable) The state or act of contemning; the feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn, disdain.
Anger
A strong feeling of displeasure, hostility or antagonism towards someone or something, usually combined with an urge to harm, often stemming from perceived provocation, hurt, or threat.
You need to control your anger.
Contempt
The state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace.
Anger
(obsolete) Pain or stinging.
Contempt
(legal) Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.
Anger
(transitive) To cause such a feeling of antagonism in.
He who angers you conquers you.
Contempt
The act of contemning or despising; the feeling with which one regards that which is esteemed mean, vile, or worthless; disdain; scorn.
Criminal contempt of public feeling.
Nothing, says Longinus, can be great, the contempt of which is great.
Anger
(intransitive) To become angry.
You anger too easily.
Contempt
The state of being despised; disgrace; shame.
Contempt and begarry hangs upon thy back.
Anger
Trouble; vexation; also, physical pain or smart of a sore, etc.
I made the experiment, setting the moxa where . . . the greatest anger and soreness still continued.
Contempt
An act or expression denoting contempt.
Little insults and contempts.
The contempt and anger of his lip.
Anger
A strong passion or emotion of displeasure or antagonism, excited by a real or supposed injury or insult to one's self or others, or by the intent to do such injury.
Anger is likeA full hot horse, who being allowed his way,Self-mettle tires him.
Contempt
Disobedience of the rules, orders, or process of a court of justice, or of rules or orders of a legislative body; disorderly, contemptuous, or insolent language or behavior in presence of a court, tending to disturb its proceedings, or impair the respect due to its authority.
Anger
To make painful; to cause to smart; to inflame.
He . . . angereth malign ulcers.
Contempt
Lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike;
He was held in contempt
The despite in which outsiders were held is legendary
Anger
To excite to anger; to enrage; to provoke.
Taxes and impositions . . . which rather angered than grieved the people.
Contempt
A manner that is generally disrespectful and contemptuous
Anger
A strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
Contempt
Open disrespect for a person or thing
Anger
The state of being angry
Contempt
A willful disobedience to or disrespect for the authority of a court or legislative body
Anger
Belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong (personified as one of the deadly sins)
Anger
Make angry;
The news angered him
Anger
Become angry;
He angers easily
Common Curiosities
What is contempt?
Contempt is a feeling of disdain or scorn towards someone or something, viewing them as inferior or unworthy of respect.
What are common manifestations of contempt?
Contempt often manifests through sarcasm, mocking, or condescension, aiming to demean the other party.
Can contempt be a form of anger?
While both are negative emotions, contempt is more specific, involving disdain and a sense of superiority, unlike the broader emotion of anger.
How does anger differ from contempt?
Anger is a response to perceived wrongs, characterized by displeasure or hostility, without necessarily including feelings of superiority or disdain.
Why is contempt considered destructive in relationships?
It signals deep disrespect and devaluation, making it difficult to repair the relationship due to its dismissive nature.
Can contempt be constructive?
Generally, contempt is seen as destructive because it undermines respect and understanding, though it might catalyze personal reflection in some contexts.
How do individuals express anger in a healthy way?
Healthy expressions of anger include communicating feelings calmly, setting boundaries, and seeking constructive solutions.
How can anger be resolved?
Anger resolution typically involves addressing the specific grievances or misunderstandings, often through communication and problem-solving.
What emotional response does anger typically seek?
Anger seeks to address or rectify a perceived wrong or threat, often through confrontation or communication.
Can contempt be overcome?
Overcoming contempt is challenging but possible, requiring a change in perspective and increased empathy towards the object of contempt.
What triggers contempt?
Contempt is often triggered by a perception of others as inferior, immoral, or not worthy of respect.
Can a person experience both contempt and anger simultaneously?
Yes, it’s possible to experience both emotions simultaneously, especially in complex interpersonal situations where there’s both a perceived wrong and a disdain for the other’s actions or character.
Is it possible to feel contempt without anger?
Yes, one can feel contempt without anger, as contempt involves a judgment of inferiority or unworthiness, which doesn’t necessarily include the hostility or frustration characteristic of anger.
What role does communication play in resolving both anger and contempt?
Communication is crucial in resolving anger through addressing grievances and misunderstandings, and in overcoming contempt by fostering empathy and understanding.
How does society view contempt?
Society often views contempt negatively, as it can signal arrogance and a lack of empathy or respect for others.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
