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hold in contempt

[/hoʊld ɪn kənˈtɛmpt/]
verb phrase
desprezar; ter desprezo por; considerar com desprezo
1. To regard someone or something with contempt; to consider as worthless or deserving of scorn
The judge warned the witness that she would be held in contempt of court if she refused to answer questions.
O juiz advertiu a testemunha que seria condenada por desacato à corte se se recusasse a responder às perguntas.
2. To feel or show a deep disrespect or disdain for someone
He held his rival in contempt for years after their falling out.
Ele desprezava seu rival profundamente há anos após o desentendimento deles.
3. Legal: To disobey or show disrespect toward a court of law
She was charged with holding the court in contempt.
Ela foi acusada de desacato à corte.
NYC Slang
dis; disrespect
Synonyms
despisescorndisdainlook down onshow contempt fortreat with contempt
Antonyms
respectadmireesteemhonorreverehold in high regard

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
desprezar; ter desprezo por
Most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
zoar; desprezar
Informal variant using 'zoar' (to mock/ridicule)
São Paulo
desprezar; desacatar
Standard usage, legal contexts prefer 'desacatar'
Portugal
desprezar; desacatar à corte
Legal term 'desacato' is more formal; 'desacatar' used for court-related contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

hold someone in contempt of court
hold something in low regard
look down one's nose at
turn one's nose up at
thumb one's nose at
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