Usage Note
Dédaigner expresses active contempt or dismissiveness toward something or someone. It is commonly followed by de + infinitive (il ne dédaigne pas de plaisanter = 'he doesn't disdain a joke'). The related noun is dédain ('disdain') and the adjective dédaigneux ('disdainful').
Examples
"Elle dédaigne les compliments superficiels."
Natural Translation
She disdains superficial compliments.
Related Words
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