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B1 noun 13分で読める

méprisantement

練習する例文メモとヒント méprisantement 30秒で

解説 méprisantement in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting your French journey. The word 'méprisantement' is quite advanced, so don't worry if it seems difficult! At this stage, focus on the root word 'le mépris' (contempt/scorn) and the feeling it represents. Think of it as the opposite of 'aimer' (to love) or 'respecter' (to respect). You might learn simple sentences like 'Il n'est pas gentil' (He is not nice). 'Méprisantement' is a very fancy way to describe someone being 'not nice' because they think they are better than you. Imagine a king looking at a poor person and not wanting to talk to them—that is the 'feeling' of this word. You won't need to use this word in your own speaking yet, but if you see it in a story, remember it means 'doing something in a mean, superior way.' Just remember the sound 'mépris'—like 'dis-praise'. It is an adverb, which in English usually ends in '-ly'. So, 'méprisantement' is 'contemptuously'.

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At the A2 level, you are learning more about how to describe people's behavior. You know adverbs like 'lentement' (slowly) or 'heureusement' (happily). 'Méprisantement' follows the same pattern—it ends in '-ment', which tells you it describes *how* someone does something. At this level, you should recognize that this word comes from 'mépriser' (to despise). If you see the sentence 'Il a ri méprisantement', you can understand that the person didn't just laugh; they laughed in a way that makes the other person feel small or unimportant. You might start to notice this word in graded readers or simple French news articles when they talk about a 'bad guy' in a story. It is a good word to know to improve your reading comprehension, even if you still use simpler phrases like 'avec mépris' when you speak.

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As a B1 learner, you are reaching an intermediate level where you can handle more complex vocabulary. 'Méprisantement' is a great 'power word' to add to your writing to make it sound more sophisticated. Instead of always saying 'Il est arrogant', you can describe an action: 'Il a rejeté l'idée méprisantement.' This shows you understand how to use adverbs to add nuance to your sentences. You should also be aware that this word is quite formal. In a B1 exam, using a word like this correctly in a written essay about social issues or a character analysis would impress the examiner. You should also start to distinguish it from 'dédaigneusement' (disdainfully). While they are similar, 'méprisantement' often feels a bit stronger and more personal. Practice recognizing the 'e' in the middle—it's 'méprisant-e-ment'—because it comes from the feminine adjective 'méprisante'.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the register and nuance of 'méprisantement'. You understand that French has different 'levels' of language, and this word belongs to the 'soutenu' (formal/literary) register. You can use it to analyze literature or to discuss complex social dynamics. At this stage, you should also be careful with the 'false friend' trap: don't confuse 'méprisantement' with 'méprisablement'. If someone acts 'méprisantement', they are being arrogant; if they act 'méprisablement', they are being 'despicable' or 'shameful'. A B2 student should be able to explain this difference. You should also be able to use the word in compound tenses correctly, placing it between the auxiliary and the past participle: 'Il a méprisantement refusé de nous aider.' This shows a high level of grammatical control and stylistic awareness.

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For C1 learners, 'méprisantement' is a tool for stylistic precision. You are expected to have a wide range of vocabulary to express subtle shades of meaning. You might use this word to critique a piece of writing or a political speech, noting the 'ton méprisant' or how an author uses the adverb to establish a character's 'hauteur'. At this level, you should also be aware of the historical and literary context of the word. You might encounter it in 19th-century novels by Zola or Maupassant and understand how it functions within the social critiques of those works. You can also use it to discuss the 'sociolinguistics' of French—how such formal adverbs are used (or avoided) in modern society to signal class or education. Your goal is to use 'méprisantement' not just correctly, but 'à propos'—in the exact right context where its formal weight adds value to your argument.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of French. You understand that 'méprisantement' is an adverb that, while grammatically correct, is often replaced by 'avec mépris' in modern discourse. You use the word deliberately for specific rhetorical effects—perhaps to evoke a classical or literary atmosphere, or to emphasize a particularly egregious act of social disdain. You can appreciate the phonetic qualities of the word and how its length can be used to slow down the rhythm of a sentence for dramatic effect. You are also capable of discussing the etymological evolution of the word and its relationship to other terms like 'outrecuidance' or 'morgue'. In your own writing, you use 'méprisantement' as part of a rich, varied vocabulary, knowing exactly when a shorter synonym like 'dédaigneusement' would be better or when a prepositional phrase would sound more contemporary. You have mastered the 'art' of the word, not just its definition.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

méprisantement 30秒で

An adverb meaning 'contemptuously' or 'scornfully'.
Derived from 'mépris' (contempt) and 'méprisant' (contemptuous).
Used in formal or literary contexts to describe arrogant behavior.
A powerful way to show a character's sense of superiority.

The word méprisantement is an adverb in the French language that encapsulates a profound sense of social or moral disdain. While its frequency in modern, everyday spoken French has dwindled in favor of the prepositional phrase avec mépris, it remains a cornerstone of high-register literary expression. To act méprisantement is to perform an action while simultaneously signaling that you believe the object of your action, or the person you are interacting with, is beneath your dignity, consideration, or respect. It is not merely about being mean; it is about the cold, calculated projection of superiority. This word traces its roots back to the verb mépriser (to despise or to look down upon), which itself is a fascinating study in linguistic construction, combining the prefix mé- (expressing error or negativity) with priser (to value or to prize). Thus, to act méprisantement is literally to value someone or something wrongly—specifically, to value them as nothing.

The Essence of Disdain: This adverb describes the 'how' of an action. If a judge looks at a defendant méprisantement, they aren't just looking; they are communicating a moral judgment through their gaze alone.
Literary Weight: In 19th-century French literature, authors like Balzac or Flaubert used such adverbs to paint precise portraits of class dynamics and the coldness of the bourgeoisie.

L'aristocrate écarta la main du mendiant méprisantement, comme s'il craignait une contagion de pauvreté.

Understanding this word requires an appreciation for the nuance of French social hierarchies. In a culture where 'la politesse' (politeness) is a fundamental social glue, acting méprisantement is a severe breach of the social contract. It is a weaponized form of behavior. It is often associated with the 'regard' (the look) or the 'ton' (the tone). When someone speaks méprisantement, the words themselves might be neutral, but the delivery—perhaps a slight curling of the lip or an overly formal enunciation—betrays their true feelings of contempt. This makes the word particularly useful for writers who want to show, rather than tell, a character's internal arrogance.

Elle a ri méprisantement face à sa proposition qu'elle jugeait absurde.

Social Context: In modern corporate environments, this word might describe the 'gaslighting' or dismissive behavior of a superior toward a subordinate.

Le critique d'art a balayé l'œuvre du jeune peintre méprisantement d'un revers de main.

Furthermore, the adverb carries a certain phonetic weight. The nasal 'en' followed by the 'tement' suffix creates a rhythmic, almost haughty sound that matches its meaning. It is a word that demands to be spoken slowly. In theatrical performances, particularly in the works of Molière or Racine, the delivery of an adverb like méprisantement can define an entire scene's power dynamic. It signals a refusal to engage on equal footing. It is the language of the 'hautain' (haughty) and the 'suffisant' (self-important).

Il répondit méprisantement aux questions des journalistes, refusant de justifier ses actes.

Synonym Nuance: While 'dédaigneusement' is a close synonym, 'méprisantement' often implies a more active, almost aggressive form of looking down on someone.

La reine considéra la foule méprisantement depuis son balcon doré.

Using méprisantement correctly involves understanding its placement as an adverb of manner. In French, adverbs typically follow the verb they modify in simple tenses and are placed between the auxiliary and the past participle in compound tenses. However, because méprisantement is a long, multisyllabic word, it often gravitates toward the end of the sentence to maintain the sentence's rhythmic balance, or it is used to start a sentence for dramatic emphasis.

Placement after the Verb: This is the most standard usage. Example: 'Il parle méprisantement à ses employés.' (He speaks contemptuously to his employees.)
Placement in Compound Tenses: Example: 'Elle a méprisantement ignoré mes excuses.' (She contemptuously ignored my apologies.) Note how it sits between the auxiliary 'a' and the participle 'ignoré'.

Le majordome a refermé la porte méprisantement au nez du visiteur importun.

When using this word, it is crucial to ensure the context supports the weight of the emotion. Since méprisantement implies a deep-seated feeling of superiority, it is best used in situations involving conflict, social disparity, or moral disagreement. It is rarely used in positive contexts unless used ironically. For example, one might say 'Il a méprisantement jeté son argent par les fenêtres' to describe someone who treats wealth with such arrogance that they don't even care about losing it.

Elle l'a regardé méprisantement avant de tourner les talons sans dire un mot.

Describing Speech: Use it to modify verbs like 'répondre', 'dire', 'murmurer', or 's'exclamer' to add a layer of arrogance to a character's dialogue.

'C'est tout ce que vous avez à offrir ?' demanda-t-il méprisantement.

In formal writing, such as an essay or a report on a historical figure, méprisantement can be used to analyze behavior. 'Napoléon a traité les ambassadeurs méprisantement lors de cette entrevue célèbre.' This adds a descriptive quality that the noun 'mépris' might lack. While 'avec mépris' is a functional substitute, the single-word adverb méprisantement often feels more 'literary' and 'precise' in a narrative flow. It creates a seamless link between the action and the attitude.

Il a repoussé l'assiette méprisantement, trouvant le plat indigne de son palais.

The 'Silent' Contempt: The word is often used with verbs of 'looking' (regarder, observer, dévisager) to show that the contempt is visual rather than verbal.

Elle l'observait méprisantement à travers ses lunettes, jugeant sa tenue inappropriée.

If you are walking down the streets of Paris today, you are unlikely to hear someone yell méprisantement during a heated argument. Modern spoken French tends toward shorter, more punchy expressions. However, this does not mean the word is dead. It has merely migrated to specific 'cultural habitats'. The first and most prominent of these is Classic French Literature. If you pick up a novel by Victor Hugo, such as Les Misérables, or a work by Honoré de Balzac, you will encounter this word frequently. It serves as a vital tool for these authors to describe the social cruelty of the era.

The Theatre (Comédie-Française): In the classical theatre, actors use the word to emphasize the 'hauteur' of noble characters. It is a word that is 'acted' as much as it is spoken.
Historical Cinema: When watching French period dramas (films d'époque), pay attention to the dialogue of villains or aristocrats; they often use this adverb to dismiss their social inferiors.

Dans le film, le marquis traite son valet méprisantement, illustrant l'injustice de l'Ancien Régime.

Another place you will find méprisantement is in high-level political or philosophical discourse. A commentator might describe a politician's attitude toward the public as being 'méprisantement détaché' (contemptuously detached). In this context, the word is used to criticize an perceived elitism. It is a 'scathing' word. If a journalist writes that a minister responded méprisantement to a legitimate question, they are accusing that minister of arrogance and a lack of accountability.

Le philosophe a parlé méprisantement de la culture de masse, la qualifiant de superficielle.

Legal and Formal Reports: In court transcripts or formal character assessments, a witness might describe an aggressor's behavior as acting 'méprisantement' to show intent and malice.

Le témoin a affirmé que l'accusé avait agi méprisantement envers les forces de l'ordre.

Finally, you might encounter this word in translated works. When translators are looking for a French equivalent to the English 'contemptuously' or 'scornfully' in a serious novel, méprisantement is often the most accurate choice because it carries the same weight and length. It is a word of 'atmosphere'. It sets a mood of tension and psychological distance. In the world of French 'doublage' (dubbing), you might hear it in the French version of a Shakespearean play or a high-stakes drama like Succession, where characters frequently treat each other with profound disdain.

L'éditorialiste a écrit que le gouvernement traitait les manifestants méprisantement.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with méprisantement is confusing it with its related parts of speech. It is an adverb, but students often try to use it as an adjective or a noun. Remember: mépris is the noun (contempt), méprisant is the adjective (contemptuous), and méprisantement is the adverb (contemptuously). You cannot say 'C'est un homme méprisantement'; you must say 'C'est un homme méprisant' or 'Il agit méprisantement'.

The '-amment' vs '-entement' Trap: Standard French grammar rules suggest that adjectives ending in '-ant' should form adverbs ending in '-amment' (e.g., brillant -> brillamment). However, 'méprisantement' is a specific exception. Writing 'méprisamment' is a common error even for native speakers, but it is technically incorrect.
Confusion with 'Méprisables': Do not confuse 'méprisantement' with the adverbial form of 'méprisable' (despicable). Acting méprisantement means you are looking down on others; acting méprisablement means you are acting in a way that deserves to be looked down upon.

Erreur: Il a agi méprisamment. Correction: Il a agi méprisantement.

Another mistake is using the word in an inappropriate register. As mentioned, méprisantement is very formal. Using it in a casual text message or a relaxed conversation with friends can sound 'pédant' (pedantic) or like you are trying too hard to sound intellectual. In such cases, 'd'un air méprisant' or 'avec mépris' is much more natural. For example, if a friend ignores your text, saying 'Tu m'as ignoré méprisantement' sounds like a line from a 17th-century play. 'Tu m'as ignoré avec mépris' is better, but 'Tu m'as snobé' is what people actually say.

Ne confondez pas: méprisantement (attitude de supériorité) et méprisablement (conduite indigne).

Overuse of Adverbs: In French writing, stacking too many '-ment' adverbs can make the prose feel 'lourde' (heavy). Use 'méprisantement' once for impact, rather than multiple times in a paragraph.

Évitez: 'Il a marché lentement et a parlé méprisantement.' Préférez: 'D'un pas lent, il a parlé méprisantement.'

Finally, ensure you don't confuse méprisantement with méprise (a mistake/misunderstanding). They look similar but are unrelated in meaning. If you say 'J'ai agi méprisantement' when you meant 'J'ai fait une méprise' (I made a mistake), you are telling people you were arrogant when you actually meant you were just wrong! This can lead to significant social awkwardness.

L'étudiant a confondu méprisante et méprise, changeant tout le sens de son texte.

To truly master méprisantement, it is helpful to look at its 'linguistic cousins'. French has a rich vocabulary for expressing negative attitudes, and choosing the right word can change the entire tone of your sentence. The most direct synonym is dédaigneusement. While they are often interchangeable, dédaigneusement (disdainfully) often implies that something is simply not worth one's time, whereas méprisantement implies a more active dislike or judgment of inferiority.

Dédaigneusement: Focuses on the lack of value. 'Il a jeté le journal dédaigneusement.' (He threw the paper away disdainfully.)
Hautainement: Focuses on the height or rank. 'Elle s'est adressée à lui hautainement.' (She addressed him haughtily.)
Arrogamment: Focuses on the ego and overconfidence. 'Il a affirmé sa victoire arrogamment.'

Comparaison: Méprisantement (avec jugement) vs Froidement (sans émotion).

If you find méprisantement too heavy for your sentence, consider using 'prepositional phrases'. These are often more common in contemporary French and allow for more flexibility. 'D'un ton méprisant' (in a contemptuous tone) or 'D'un air supérieur' (with a superior air) are excellent alternatives. These phrases break up the monotony of long adverbs and can feel more descriptive. For instance, 'Il l'a regardée d'un air méprisant' sounds more natural in a modern novel than 'Il l'a regardée méprisantement'.

Alternative: Au lieu de 'Il a parlé méprisantement', essayez 'Il a parlé avec une pointe de mépris'.

Insalamment (Obsolete): In very old texts, you might see 'insalamment', but stay away from it in modern usage!
Condescendantement: Very similar, but implies that the person is 'lowering' themselves to deal with someone they consider inferior.

Le directeur a souri condescendantement à la stagiaire, comme s'il s'adressait à un enfant.

Finally, consider the opposite. To understand méprisantement, look at respectueusement (respectfully) or humblement (humbly). These words represent the other end of the social and moral spectrum. In a narrative, contrasting a character who acts méprisantement with one who acts humblement creates immediate conflict and character depth. By knowing these alternatives and opposites, you can navigate the complex emotional landscape of the French language with much greater precision and confidence.

Il a salué son rival respectueusement, à l'opposé de son attitude habituelle méprisante.

How Formal Is It?

豆知識

The root 'priser' comes from the Latin 'pretiare', meaning to price or value. The prefix 'mé-' (from 'minus') turns the meaning into 'valuing less' or 'wrongly valuing'.

発音ガイド

UK /me.pʁi.zɑ̃.tə.mɑ̃/

US /me.pʁi.zɑ̃.tə.mɑ̃/

In French, stress is generally even but falls slightly on the final syllable 'mɑ̃'.

韻が合う語

lentement heureusement vraiement gentiment évidemment couramment puisamment passionnément

よくある間違い

Pronouncing the final 't' (it should be silent).
Forgetting the nasal sounds in 'an' and 'ent'.
Pronouncing the 's' as an 's' instead of a 'z'.
Skipping the 'te' syllable entirely.
Stressing the first syllable instead of the last.

難易度

読解 4/5

Common in 19th-century literature but requires understanding of root words.

ライティング 5/5

Long spelling and specific register make it hard to use naturally.

スピーキング 5/5

Difficult to pronounce quickly and rarely used in conversation.

リスニング 4/5

Clear 'mépris' root helps, but the long suffix can be confusing.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

mépris mépriser méprisant lentement regarder

次に学ぶ

dédaigneusement hautainement condescendance outrecuidance morgue

上級

insalamment superficieusement méprisablement abjectement vilement

知っておくべき文法

Adverb formation from adjectives ending in -ant.

Méprisant -> Méprisantement (Exception to the -amment rule).

Placement of adverbs in compound tenses.

Il a méprisantement agi.

Adverbs of manner following the verb.

Il parle méprisantement.

Agreement of the root adjective.

The adverb uses the feminine root 'méprisante'.

Silent final consonants in adverbs.

The 't' in 'ment' is silent.

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レベル別の例文

Il regarde le vieux jouet méprisantement.

He looks at the old toy contemptuously.

The adverb 'méprisantement' follows the verb 'regarde'.

Elle parle méprisantement à son petit frère.

She speaks contemptuously to her little brother.

Adverbs of manner often come after the verb in simple tenses.

Le chat observe le chien méprisantement.

The cat observes the dog contemptuously.

Even simple subjects like 'le chat' can use complex adverbs.

Il a ri méprisantement.

He laughed contemptuously.

In the passé composé, short adverbs usually go before the participle, but long ones can go after.

Ne me regarde pas méprisantement !

Don't look at me contemptuously!

Imperative negative form: Ne + verb + pas + adverb.

Le roi a agi méprisantement.

The king acted contemptuously.

Focus on the root 'mépris' to understand the meaning.

Elle a jeté le cadeau méprisantement.

She threw the gift away contemptuously.

The adverb describes the action of throwing.

Il répond méprisantement : 'Non !'

He answers contemptuously: 'No!'

The adverb modifies the verb 'répond'.

Le serveur nous a servis méprisantement.

The waiter served us contemptuously.

The adverb can follow the past participle in compound tenses.

Elle a méprisantement ignoré ma question.

She contemptuously ignored my question.

Here, the adverb is placed between the auxiliary and the participle.

Il a traité ses vieux vêtements méprisantement.

He treated his old clothes contemptuously.

The word 'vêtements' is the direct object.

Le riche homme a parlé méprisantement du pauvre.

The rich man spoke contemptuously of the poor man.

Use 'de' after 'parler' to indicate the subject.

Elle a souri méprisantement en voyant ma voiture.

She smiled contemptuously upon seeing my car.

'En voyant' is a gerund (while seeing).

Il a méprisantement refusé l'invitation.

He contemptuously refused the invitation.

The adverb emphasizes the refusal.

Pourquoi me parles-tu méprisantement ?

Why are you speaking to me contemptuously?

In a question, the adverb remains after the verb.

Le chef a critiqué mon travail méprisantement.

The boss criticized my work contemptuously.

The adverb describes the 'manner' of the criticism.

L'avocat a méprisantement balayé les arguments de la partie adverse.

The lawyer contemptuously brushed aside the opposing party's arguments.

The verb 'balayer' (to sweep) is used figuratively here.

Elle a tourné le dos méprisantement à son ancien ami.

She contemptuously turned her back on her former friend.

'Tourner le dos' is an idiomatic expression.

Le critique a écrit méprisantement sur le nouveau film.

The critic wrote contemptuously about the new movie.

The adverb modifies the verb 'écrit'.

Il a méprisantement jeté les fleurs à la poubelle.

He contemptuously threw the flowers in the trash.

The placement between auxiliary and participle is very common in B1.

Elle a répondu méprisantement qu'elle n'avait pas le temps.

She answered contemptuously that she didn't have time.

The conjunction 'que' introduces a subordinate clause.

L'aristocrate regardait la foule méprisantement du haut de son balcon.

The aristocrat looked at the crowd contemptuously from the height of his balcony.

The imperfect tense 'regardait' describes an ongoing state.

Il a méprisantement décliné toute forme d'aide.

He contemptuously declined any form of help.

The adverb 'méprisantement' adds emotional weight to 'décliné'.

Elle a levé les yeux au ciel méprisantement.

She rolled her eyes contemptuously.

'Lever les yeux au ciel' is a common physical gesture of contempt.

Le ministre a méprisantement éludé les questions sur le scandale.

The minister contemptuously evaded questions about the scandal.

The verb 'éluder' (to evade) is higher register than 'éviter'.

Elle a traité la proposition de paix méprisantement, la jugeant insuffisante.

She treated the peace proposal contemptuously, judging it insufficient.

The present participle 'jugeant' explains the reason for the contempt.

Il a méprisantement souligné les erreurs de son rival lors du débat.

He contemptuously highlighted his rival's mistakes during the debate.

The adverb qualifies the manner of the critique.

L'écrivain a méprisantement qualifié ses critiques de 'petits esprits'.

The writer contemptuously described his critics as 'small minds'.

Use 'de' after 'qualifier' to show the description.

Elle a méprisantement repoussé l'idée d'un compromis.

She contemptuously rejected the idea of a compromise.

The adverb reinforces the finality of the rejection.

Le professeur a méprisantement jeté la copie de l'étudiant sur le bureau.

The professor contemptuously threw the student's paper onto the desk.

This sentence illustrates a power dynamic.

Il a méprisantement ignoré les avertissements de ses conseillers.

He contemptuously ignored his advisors' warnings.

The adverb suggests a fatal flaw in character (hubris).

Elle a méprisantement tourné la page sur son passé.

She contemptuously turned the page on her past.

A figurative use of 'tourner la page'.

L'intellectuel a méprisantement fustigé la vulgarité de la culture contemporaine.

The intellectual contemptuously lambasted the vulgarity of contemporary culture.

The verb 'fustiger' (to lambast/scourge) is highly formal.

Il a méprisantement balayé d'un revers de main toute velléité de révolte.

He contemptuously brushed aside any inkling of revolt with a backhand gesture.

'D'un revers de main' is a vivid idiom for dismissal.

Elle a méprisantement dédaigné les honneurs qui lui étaient offerts.

She contemptuously disdained the honors that were offered to her.

The combination of 'méprisantement' and 'dédaigner' is very strong.

Le metteur en scène a méprisantement interrompu l'audition de la jeune actrice.

The director contemptuously interrupted the young actress's audition.

The adverb highlights the director's arrogance.

Il a méprisantement raillé les efforts désespérés de ses concurrents.

He contemptuously mocked the desperate efforts of his competitors.

The verb 'railler' is a formal synonym for 'moquer'.

Elle a méprisantement refusé de s'abaisser à une telle discussion.

She contemptuously refused to stoop to such a discussion.

'S'abaisser à' means to stoop or lower oneself to something.

Le noble a méprisantement jeté quelques pièces au cocher avant de s'en aller.

The nobleman contemptuously threw a few coins to the coachman before leaving.

Illustrates a historical class interaction.

Il a méprisantement observé le chaos qu'il avait lui-même provoqué.

He contemptuously observed the chaos he himself had caused.

The adverb suggests a lack of empathy or remorse.

Dans son dernier pamphlet, l'auteur s'en prend méprisantement à l'hypocrisie bourgeoise.

In his latest pamphlet, the author contemptuously attacks bourgeois hypocrisy.

The phrase 's'en prendre à' means to attack or criticize someone.

Elle a méprisantement rejeté les paradigmes établis pour imposer sa propre vision.

She contemptuously rejected established paradigms to impose her own vision.

The adverb emphasizes the radical and arrogant nature of the rejection.

Il a méprisantement traité les nuances de l'affaire comme de simples détails techniques.

He contemptuously treated the nuances of the case as mere technical details.

Shows the dismissal of complexity.

Le despote a méprisantement ignoré les supplications de son peuple affamé.

The despot contemptuously ignored the pleas of his starving people.

The adverb underlines the moral failure of the leader.

Elle a méprisantement balayé les scrupules moraux qui entravaient son ascension.

She contemptuously brushed aside the moral scruples that hindered her ascent.

The figurative use of 'balayer' is very effective here.

Il a méprisantement ravalé ses critiques au rang de simples jalousies personnelles.

He contemptuously demoted his critics to the rank of mere personal jealousies.

The adverb shows how he dismisses external judgment.

L'esthète a méprisantement détourné le regard face à cette œuvre qu'il jugeait 'pompier'.

The aesthete contemptuously turned his gaze away from this work he judged 'pompier' (overly academic).

'Détourner le regard' is a classic physical act of contempt.

Elle a méprisantement accueilli les excuses tardives de son ex-partenaire.

She contemptuously received the late apologies of her ex-partner.

The adverb sets the emotional tone of the reception.

よく使う組み合わせ

regarder méprisantement

répondre méprisantement

rejeter méprisantement

sourire méprisantement

ignorer méprisantement

traiter méprisantement

parler méprisantement

observer méprisantement

écarter méprisantement

juger méprisantement

よく使うフレーズ

Agir méprisantement

— To behave in a way that shows contempt.

Il a agi méprisantement tout au long de la soirée.

Un ton méprisant

— A contemptuous tone (related phrase).

Il a utilisé un ton méprisant pour me répondre.

Un regard méprisant

— A contemptuous look (related phrase).

Elle m'a lancé un regard méprisant avant de partir.

Rire méprisantement

— To laugh in a way that belittles someone.

Ils ont ri méprisantement de son échec.

Traiter quelqu'un méprisantement

— To treat someone with disdain.

Le patron traitait ses employés méprisantement.

Réagir méprisantement

— To react with scorn.

Face à la critique, il a réagi méprisantement.

Considérer méprisantement

— To view something as worthless.

Il considérait méprisantement les arts populaires.

Éluder méprisantement

— To avoid something with disdain.

Il a méprisantement éludé mes questions.

Balayer méprisantement

— To dismiss something contemptuously.

Elle a balayé ses excuses méprisantement.

Détourner les yeux méprisantement

— To look away in a show of contempt.

Il a détourné les yeux méprisantement quand je l'ai salué.

よく混同される語

méprisantement vs méprise

A 'méprise' is a mistake or misunderstanding, not an act of contempt.

méprisantement vs méprisablement

This means 'despicably' (deserving contempt), while 'méprisantement' means 'with contempt'.

méprisantement vs méprisamment

This is a common spelling error; the correct word is 'méprisantement'.

慣用句と表現

"Regarder de haut"

— To look down on someone (related idiom).

Il regarde tout le monde de haut.

Neutral

"Prendre quelqu'un de haut"

— To treat someone as inferior.

Elle me prend toujours de haut.

Neutral

"Tourner le nez"

— To turn up one's nose at something (contempt).

Il a tourné le nez devant ce plat simple.

Informal

"Faire la fine bouche"

— To be picky or dismissive of something offered.

Ne fais pas la fine bouche, c'est un bon travail.

Neutral

"Hausser les épaules"

— To shrug shoulders (often with contempt).

Il a haussé les épaules méprisantement.

Neutral

"Traiter par le mépris"

— To treat with silence as a form of contempt.

Il a choisi de traiter ces attaques par le mépris.

Formal

"Tomber dans le mépris"

— To fall into a state of being despised.

Ce politicien est tombé dans le mépris général.

Formal

"Avoir le dédain de..."

— To feel that something is beneath one's dignity.

Il a le dédain de la flatterie.

Formal

"Mettre au ban"

— To ostracize or treat as an outcast (extreme contempt).

Il a été mis au ban de la société.

Formal

"Cracher au visage"

— To spit in the face (literal or figurative extreme contempt).

C'est comme s'il lui avait craché au visage.

Informal

間違えやすい

méprisantement vs méprisant

It's the adjective form.

Méprisant describes a person or a look; méprisantement describes an action.

Un regard méprisant vs Il regarde méprisantement.

méprisantement vs mépris

It's the noun form.

Mépris is the feeling itself; méprisantement is the way of acting on that feeling.

Il a du mépris vs Il agit méprisantement.

méprisantement vs dédaigneusement

It's a very close synonym.

Dédaigneusement is about lack of value; méprisantement is about active judgment.

Il a jeté le papier dédaigneusement vs Il a parlé méprisantement.

méprisantement vs arrogamment

Both involve superiority.

Arrogamment is about self-pride; méprisantement is about looking down on others.

Il a paradé arrogamment vs Il a ignoré l'enfant méprisantement.

méprisantement vs hautainement

Both involve superiority.

Hautainement focuses on social rank; méprisantement focuses on personal disdain.

La reine parla hautainement vs Elle répondit méprisantement.

文型パターン

Il est [adverb].

Il rit méprisantement.

Il a [verb] [adverb].

Il a parlé méprisantement.

Il a [adverb] [past participle].

Il a méprisantement refusé.

En [gerund], il a [verb] [adverb].

En souriant, il a répondu méprisantement.

[Adverb], il [verb] l'objet.

Méprisantement, il balaya la proposition.

S'en prendre [adverb] à [noun].

Il s'en prend méprisantement à ses rivaux.

Traiter quelqu'un [adverb].

Elle traite tout le monde méprisantement.

Regarder quelqu'un [adverb].

Le juge le regarda méprisantement.

語族

名詞

mépris (contempt)

méprise (misunderstanding)

méprisabilité (despicability)

動詞

mépriser (to despise/look down on)

形容詞

méprisant (contemptuous)

méprisable (despicable)

使い方

frequency

Low (mostly in writing)

よくある間違い

Using 'méprisamment'. → méprisantement
Many adverbs from -ant adjectives end in -amment, but 'méprisantement' is a specific exception.
Confusing with 'méprise'. → mépris
A 'méprise' is a mistake. 'Mépris' is contempt. They are different roots.
Using it as an adjective. → Il est méprisant.
'Méprisantement' is an adverb and can only modify verbs or adjectives, not be used as a predicate for a person.
Pronouncing the final 't'. → /mɑ̃/
The final 't' in the '-ment' suffix is always silent in French adverbs.
Confusing with 'méprisablement'. → méprisantement
Méprisablement means 'in a despicable way'. Méprisantement means 'in a contemptuous way'.

ヒント

Adverb Placement

In compound tenses like the passé composé, place 'méprisantement' after the past participle for emphasis, or between the auxiliary and participle for a smoother flow.

Root Recognition

If you see 'mé-', think 'bad'. If you see 'pris', think 'price/value'. This helps you remember that the word means 'devaluing' someone.

Literary Flair

Use this word when writing a story to immediately signal that a character is a villain or an arrogant aristocrat.

Nasal Vowels

Don't forget the nasal sounds! 'Méprisantement' has two: 'an' and 'en'. They should sound similar but distinct from 'on'.

Formal Only

Avoid using this word in casual conversation unless you are being ironic or dramatic. It sounds very formal.

The Silent E

The 'e' in 'méprisantement' is there because it's formed from the feminine 'méprisante'. Don't forget it!

Cultural Nuance

In France, acting 'méprisantement' is often seen as a sign of 'mauvaise éducation' (bad upbringing).

Context Clues

If you hear a character in a movie speaking with a slow, deep, and formal voice, they are likely using high-register adverbs like this one.

Suffix Spotting

When you see a long word ending in '-ment', you know it's an adverb. Strip it back to find the adjective: méprisant.

The Sneer

Associate 'méprisantement' with the physical action of a sneer. It helps bridge the gap between the word and its emotional meaning.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of 'Me' (I) + 'Praise' + 'Ant' (the insect) + 'ment'. I only 'praise' an 'ant' 'ment'-ally because I look down on it. (Me-prais-ant-e-ment).

視覚的連想

Imagine an aristocrat with a monocle looking down at a tiny ant on the floor with a sneer.

Word Web

Mépris Arrogance Dédain Superiority Haughtiness Scorn Disdain Snobbery

チャレンジ

Try to use 'méprisantement' to describe the villain in the next movie you watch. Write three sentences about their behavior.

語源

The word 'méprisantement' is formed from the present participle 'méprisant' of the verb 'mépriser'. The verb 'mépriser' dates back to the 12th century.

元の意味： To value at a low price or to not value at all.

Romance (Latin root)

文化的な背景

Be careful using this word to describe real people, as it is a very strong accusation of arrogance.

The English equivalent 'contemptuously' is also formal, but 'méprisantement' can feel even more 'theatrical' in French.

Jean-Luc Godard's film 'Le Mépris'. Victor Hugo's descriptions of the Thénardiers in 'Les Misérables'. Molière's 'Le Misanthrope' where characters often speak with disdain.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Literature

Le personnage agit méprisantement.
Un ton méprisantement ironique.
Il la dévisagea méprisantement.
Une réponse méprisantement brève.

Politics

Traiter les revendications méprisantement.
Ignorer méprisantement l'opposition.
S'adresser au peuple méprisantement.
Un silence méprisantement calculé.

Social Conflict

Me regarder méprisantement.
Rire méprisantement de quelqu'un.
Rejeter une aide méprisantement.
Parler méprisantement de son ex.

Cinema

Jouer le rôle méprisantement.
Un regard méprisantement froid.
Le méchant sourit méprisantement.
Un geste méprisantement lent.

History

L'aristocratie traitait les paysans méprisantement.
Un mépris méprisantement affiché.
Répondre méprisantement aux injonctions.
Se comporter méprisantement envers ses pairs.

会話のきっかけ

"As-tu déjà vu quelqu'un agir méprisantement dans un film ?"

"Pourquoi penses-tu que certains politiciens parlent méprisantement au public ?"

"Est-ce que tu trouves que rire méprisantement est la pire des insultes ?"

"Comment réagirais-tu si un serveur te servait méprisantement ?"

"Dans quel livre as-tu rencontré le mot 'méprisantement' pour la première fois ?"

日記のテーマ

Décris une situation où tu as vu quelqu'un être traité méprisantement et comment tu as réagi.

Imagine un dialogue entre deux rivaux où l'un parle méprisantement à l'autre.

Pourquoi le sentiment de mépris est-il si fort dans les relations humaines ? Analyse le mot méprisantement.

Écris une courte histoire sur un roi qui agit méprisantement et qui finit par tout perdre.

Réfléchis à la différence entre agir méprisantement et être simplement honnête.

よくある質問

10 問

No, it is very rare in spoken French. Most people would say 'avec mépris' or 'd'un air méprisant' instead. It is mostly found in literature or formal writing.

Méprisantement means acting with contempt toward someone else (you think they are bad). Méprisablement means acting in a way that makes YOU look bad or despicable (others think you are bad).

It is pronounced 'an-te-man'. The 'en' and 'an' are nasal sounds, and the 'te' is a very short, neutral 'e' sound. The final 't' is silent.

It is not recommended unless you are formally accusing someone of being arrogant. It is quite a strong and negative word.

While many adverbs ending in '-ant' change to '-amment', 'méprisantement' is an exception that keeps the full adjective form plus '-ement'. This is common for certain older or more formal adverbs.

Yes, it always describes an attitude of disdain or superiority, which is generally considered a negative personality trait.

The root is 'mépris' (contempt), which comes from 'mé-' (badly) and 'priser' (to value). So it means 'to value badly' or 'to devalue'.

Yes, it is often introduced at the B1 level as students begin to read more complex literature and need more descriptive adverbs.

Yes, figuratively. For example, 'Le chat a regardé la souris méprisantement' (The cat looked at the mouse contemptuously).

The most common opposite is 'respectueusement' (respectfully).

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