Contemptibleness

/kənˈtɛmptəbəlnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality of being contemptible; the state of deserving scorn or being unworthy of respect.

Etymology

From 'contemptible' plus the productive noun suffix '-ness.' This is the preferred modern way to express the quality, competing with the more formal 'contemptibility.'

Kelly Says

The '-ness' suffix is so productive in English that we can add it to almost any adjective, which is why 'contemptibleness' and 'contemptibility' both exist—English speakers can't decide on just one!

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