despise

verb

de·​spise di-ˈspīz 

despised; despising

transitive verb

1

: to look down on with disrespect or aversion

despised the weak

2

: to regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful

despises organized religion

despisement

di-ˈspīz-mənt 

noun

despiser

di-ˈspī-zər 

noun

Synonyms

• abhor
• abominate
• detest
• execrate
• hate
• loathe

Choose the Right Synonym for despise

despise, contemn, scorn, disdain mean to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration.

despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

despises cowards

contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.

contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.

scorns the very thought of retirement

disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy.

disdained popular music

Examples of despise in a Sentence

He and Julie grooved to Cuban son and jazz on NPR and loved arty films, for instance; and they distrusted big business and despised tract houses, malls, and other aesthetically unpleasing byproducts of a consumer society. —Brian C. Anderson, National Review, 13 Mar. 2006

She was despised as a hypocrite.

I despise anchovies on pizza, and I refuse to eat them!

Recent Examples on the Web

The cryptocurrency lobby has railed hard against the SEC and its chair, Gary Gensler, who has become uniquely despised by much of the crypto industry for the agency’s strict oversight. —William Gavin, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024

Zoom out: McConnell has the unique distinction of being despised by Democrats and members of his own party — but nearly universally respected for his political skills. —Hans Nichols, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024

But well before the album wraps up (at a hefty 22 songs for the standard version at 28 for the deluxe), he’s returned again and again to the core concepts — getting high, despising yourself and reaching out to God for help, in a nonsectarian way. —Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2024

But even before that, A's fans despised Fisher for consistently keeping the team's payroll at the bottom of the league and letting talented players leave via free agency. —Dana Varinsky, NBC News, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French despis-, stem of despire, from Latin despicere, from de- + specere to look — more at spy

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

despise

verb

de·​spise di-ˈspīz 

despised; despising

: to consider as beneath one's notice or respect : feel scorn and dislike for

despiser noun

despisingly adverb