Definition

Verb (transitive) To regard someone or something as inferior, unworthy, or less important than oneself; to feel or show contempt or disdain for.

Usage

This phrasal verb describes an attitude of superiority. The person who "looks down on" someone else considers themselves to be of higher status, better quality, or greater importance. It implies a judgmental and often arrogant perspective.

Examples

• She looks down on people who didn't go to university.
• Don't look down on manual labor; it's honest work.
• He felt they looked down on him because of his accent.
• The aristocratic family was accused of looking down on their new, wealthy neighbors.

Advanced Usage

• The construction is typically .
• It often describes a persistent attitude rather than a single action.
• Can be used in passive constructions, though less common: "He felt looked down on by his colleagues."

Variants and Related Words

• Look down one's nose at (someone/something): An idiom with a very similar meaning, emphasizing a facial expression of disdain.
  • Example: She looks down her nose at fast fashion.
• Disdain (verb/noun): A more formal synonym for the feeling or action.
• Despise (verb): A stronger synonym implying intense scorn or hatred.

Synonyms

Despise, scorn, disdain, hold in contempt, consider inferior, sneer at.

Antonyms

Look up to, admire, respect, esteem, value.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Look up to: To admire and respect someone (the direct antonym).
  • Example: I've always looked up to my older sister.

Verb

1. regard with contempt
   • the new neighbor looks down on us because our house is very modest