Contemptible vs. Contemptuous

deserving contempt

Worthy of contempt; deserving of scorn or disdain; mean; vile; despicable.

Example: ‘The arguments of tyranny are ascontemptible as its force is dreadful.’;

Despised; scorned; neglected; abject.

Insolent; scornful; contemptuous.

Example: ‘If she should make tender of her love, 't is very possible he 'll scorn it; for the man . . . hath a contemptible spirit.’;

deserving of contempt or scorn

worthy only of being despised and rejected;

Example: ‘a contemptible lack of courage’; ‘A little, wretched, despicable creature, a worm, a mere nothing...that has risen up in contempt against the majesty of Heaven and earth’;

Showing contempt; expressing disdain; showing a lack of respect.

Example: ‘I don't know that guy, but he just gave me a contemptuous look.’;

Manifesting or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful; haughty; insolent; disdainful.

Example: ‘A proud, contemptuous behavior.’; ‘Savage invective and contemptuous sarcasm.’; ‘Rome . . . entertained the most contemptuous opinion of the Jews.’;

expressing extreme contempt