despise

verb

de·​spise di-ˈspīz How to pronounce despise (audio)
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 noun
despiser noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Over the course of 35 years, audiences around the world have come to love and despise many different Ben Stillers. Sean Malin, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for despise 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of despise was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near despise

Cite this Entry

“Despise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/despise. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

despise

verb
de·​spise di-ˈspīz How to pronounce despise (audio)
despised; despising
: to consider as beneath one's notice or respect : feel scorn and dislike for
despiser noun
despisingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on despise

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