despise

[dih-spahyz]

verb (used with object)

despised, despising 

1. to regard with contempt, distaste, disgust, or disdain; scorn; loathe.

   Synonyms: detest, contemn
   Antonyms: admire

despise

/ dɪˈspaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to look down on with contempt; scorn

   he despises flattery

Other Word Forms

• despisable adjective
• despisableness noun
• despiser noun
• despisingly adverb
• undespised adjective
• undespising adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of despise¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English despisen, from Old French despis-, stem of despire, from Latin dēspicere; despicable

Word History and Origins

Origin of despise¹

C13: from Old French despire, from Latin dēspicere to look down, from _de- + specere to look

Example Sentences

Atencio’s fiendish feline would have followed guests throughout the ride, a creature said to despise living humans and with predatory, possessive instincts.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It feels like a gift, and there’s always a risk the bunt isn’t executed correctly, another reason the nerds despise it.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That will bring relief to investors and the many Argentine citizens who despise the hold the party has long held over the nation’s political and economic life.

Read more on Barron's

Standing up to the North American colossus and its despised leader was, of course, a massive boost for Lula’s domestic popularity and, if anything, sealed Bolsonaro’s fate.

Read more on Salon

It’s a massive overreach for global power and influence, at a moment when he is widely despised virtually everywhere, and a complete rejection of the entire legacy of post-World War II internationalism.

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Related Words

• abhor 
• deride 
• detest 
• disdain 
• eschew 
• hate 
• loathe 
• neglect 
• reject 
• repudiate 
• revile 
• scorn 
• shun 
• snub 
• undervalue