Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!)

Literary notes about scorned (AI summary)

The term "scorned" in literature conveys layers of disdain and pride, often highlighting a character’s deliberate rejection of something deemed unworthy or beneath them. In some works, it signals a refusal to accept what is offered—whether it be charity, honor, or even love—as seen when a character claims they would "scorn the suggestion" ([1]) or "scorned to beg her favour" ([2]). At other times, it expresses a deep sense of injury or humiliation, evoking imagery of a person or action being unjustly dismissed or devalued ([3], [4]). Moreover, the word appears steeped in both personal indignation and broader social commentary, as in the admonition that "Justice shall not return as bounty scorned" ([5]), underscoring its versatility as a rhetorical tool for articulating rejection, pride, or emotional suffering.
  1. If the whole nation had stood up in front of me at that time, and told me his morals wuz a tottlin' I would have scorned the suggestion.
    — from Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
  2. To serve or to upbraid, whether he could not tell: but scorned to beg her favour.
    — from Ulysses by James Joyce
  3. I couldn't have bore to look at anybody, for they'd have scorned me.
    — from Adam Bede by George Eliot
  4. And that happy creature rejected the priceless gift, prized it and loved it not, scorned it and remained callous.
    — from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  5. Justice shall not return as bounty scorned.
    — from Paradise Lost by John Milton

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Compound Your Joy