Showing contempt for (8) - Crossword Clue
Answer: FLOUTING
Understanding "Showing Contempt For" in Crossword Puzzles
- Showing contempt for is a classic crossword clue that leads to the answer FLOUTING (8 letters).
- This verb perfectly captures the act of openly disregarding or showing scorn toward rules, conventions, or authority.
- When you're flouting something, you're not just breaking rules quietly—you're doing so with deliberate defiance and visible disrespect.
- The clue appears frequently in cryptic and standard crosswords because it tests solvers' understanding of synonyms for disrespect and disobedience.
- The eight-letter constraint makes FLOUTING an ideal fit, as it's long enough to be challenging yet common enough in everyday language to be fair game for puzzle constructors.
Common Crossword Variations and Related Clues
- Crossword editors love to vary how they present this concept.
- You might encounter "Defying openly (8)" or "Mocking authority (8)" as alternative phrasings that still point to FLOUTING.
- Other eight-letter answers in the same semantic family include DERIDING, SCORNING, or SNEERING, though these emphasize verbal mockery over rule-breaking.
- Seven-letter alternatives like DEFYING or MOCKING might appear in smaller puzzles, while longer variations could include DISREGARDING (12 letters) for more spacious grids.
- Understanding these related terms helps solvers develop pattern recognition—when you see "contempt," "scorn," or "defiance" in clues, your mind should immediately jump to this word family.
Expert Tips for Solving Similar Clues
- Master the pattern recognition by building your mental database of eight-letter words related to disrespect and defiance.
- Keep a running list that includes FLOUTING, SPURNING, SNUBBING, and AFFRONTS. When you see number indicators in parentheses, immediately consider word length as your primary solving tool.
- Pay attention to tense markers in clues. "Showing contempt for" uses the present participle (-ING ending), which should trigger your awareness that the answer likely ends in ING.
- This grammatical clue narrows your options significantly before you even consider meaning.
- Cross-referencing intersecting letters accelerates solving dramatically. If you've already filled in letters from perpendicular words, use them to eliminate impossible answers.
- For instance, if position three is definitely O, you can rule out SPURNING or DERIDING immediately.
Showing contempt for (8) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: What's the difference between flouting and flaunting?
A: These frequently confused words have opposite meanings. Flouting means showing contempt for rules, while flaunting means displaying something ostentatiously. You flout laws; you flaunt wealth.
Q: Can flouting ever be justified?
A: Philosophically, many argue yes—when laws are unjust, flouting them becomes moral imperative. Civil rights movements historically depended on citizens flouting discriminatory regulations.
Q: Are there synonyms that fit different letter counts?
A: Absolutely. MOCK (4), DEFY (4), SCORN (5), IGNORE (6), DISREGARD (9), and CONTRAVENE (10) all convey similar contemptuous disregard.
Q: Why do crosswords favor FLOUTING over simpler alternatives?
A: The eight-letter length provides ideal grid balance, and its relative sophistication challenges solvers without being obscure. It's common enough to be fair but uncommon enough to require thought.
Q: How can I remember FLOUTING for future puzzles?
A: Link it mentally to "flaunting"—remember they're opposites, and you'll never confuse them again. Create a mnemonic: "Flout the rules, flaunt your jewels."
