dédaigner

to disdain, to scorn

verb day-deh-NYAY Rare

Usage Note

Dédaigner expresses active contempt or dismissiveness toward something or someone. It is commonly followed by de + infinitive (il ne dédaigne pas de plaisanter = 'he doesn't disdain a joke'). The related noun is dédain ('disdain') and the adjective dédaigneux ('disdainful').

Examples

"Elle dédaigne les compliments superficiels."

Natural Translation

She disdains superficial compliments.

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