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 As such, he was despised by President Vladimir Putin and ultimately jailed on an array of spurious charges, including extremism, for his role as the head of a foundation that exposed corruption. Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 Haley’s early years in the statehouse were molded by her reaction against the state’s Republican leaders, who despised her. Antonia Hitchens, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2024 As for sides, the creamed corn—an adult take on a childhood cafeteria dish the chef despised—is how one rights a culinary wrong. Kayla Stewart, Bon Appétit, 23 Feb. 2024 And members of the Beverly Hills City Council, facing a March 5 election, might mostly be concerned with winning over angry voters who despise the idea of living beside high towers and among their new, less-affluent residents. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024 Budd despises Montague's policies and clashes with her as a person, and his loyalties are tested as a conspiracy arises that threatens both of their lives. Danny Horn, EW.com, 24 Jan. 2024 Cahokia’s would-be plunderers form an unholy alliance with the Ku Klux Klan, whose followers despise Cahokia’s multicultural essence and are itching for riot and murder. Mary Ann Gwinn, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024 Doing so would require the committed help of those powerful Arab states, such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, whose leaders fear and despise the Islamist ideology that Hamas espouses. Steve Coll, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2023 Their outcast characters fear and despise the Plastics, the clique of popular girls who rule the hallways at their high school. Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 12 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'despise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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

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