Disdainfully describes the way someone acts when they think something or someone is beneath them or not worth their respect. When you do something disdainfully, you show contempt or scorn, often through your expression, tone of voice, or body language.

Picture a character in a story who looks down their nose at someone, rolls their eyes, or speaks in a cold, dismissive way. That's acting disdainfully. A student might glance disdainfully at a younger kid's artwork, as if it's too simple to deserve attention. A movie villain might wave disdainfully at a hero's attempt to stop them, as if the effort is laughable.

You might sniff disdainfully at cafeteria food you think looks gross, or a character in a book might laugh disdainfully at another character's plans.

Acting disdainfully reveals arrogance or snobbery. It's the opposite of treating others with respect or kindness, and it usually makes the disdainful person seem worse than whoever they're scorning.