Showed contempt in tiff (4)
I believe the answer is:
spat
This clue is a double definition.
'showed contempt' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'tiff' is the second definition.
(synonyms)
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for spat that I've seen before include "Pat's involved in petty quarrel" , "cross words" , "Trivial quarrel" , "Old-fashioned legwear" , "Petty row" .)