‘侮慢’ is a formal, literary verb meaning 'to show contempt' or 'to treat with disrespect.' It combines two characters: 侮 (wǔ), which means 'to insult' or 'to humiliate,' and 慢 (màn), which means 'to be arrogant' or 'to disregard.' Together, they emphasize a deliberate, condescending attitude—often implying both verbal slight and behavioral disdain. This word is rarely used in casual speech; it appears most often in classical texts, historical narratives, formal writing, or moral discourse.

The term carries strong negative moral weight, suggesting a breach of propriety or social hierarchy—especially when directed toward elders, teachers, or authority figures. It’s more severe than simple rudeness: 侮慢 implies intentional, sustained disrespect rooted in arrogance or contempt. Because of its elevated register, learners should avoid using it in everyday conversation and reserve it for contexts involving ethical judgment, historical analysis, or literary description.