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

It’s never made clear why Michelle despises Neurocasters, leaving us to extrapolate her rationale. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025

Dear Anna, My partner of three years absolutely despises Valentine’s Day. —Anna Pulley, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2025

Christian abolitionists and slaveholders, for example, despised and critiqued one another on Biblical terms. —Emma Green, The New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2025

There was a time when Gabbard and RFK Jr. — both of them — were despised by the Republicans. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 17 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for despise

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise

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