despise

/dɪˈspaɪz/

Say it: dih-SPIZE

verb To feel a deep-seated contempt or loathing for someone or something, seeing them as worthless or beneath consideration.
He despised his competitors, viewing their methods as crude and unsophisticated.

📖 Seen in the wild

She despised hypocrisy and always spoke her mind, even when it was unpopular.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ despise in a sentence

The two political rivals truly despised each other, making any compromise impossible.
I've grown to despise the sound of my alarm clock in the morning.
She despised him for his cowardice during the crisis.
He professed to despise wealth, yet he lived a life of extreme luxury.
Many citizens despised the new policy, seeing it as a betrayal of the government's promises.
She despised herself for lying to her best friend.
The hero of the story is a man who despises injustice in all its forms.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

loathe detest abhor hate scorn disdain abominate contemn

loathe · suggests a visceral, physical revulsion in addition to intense dislike.

detest · implies a strong, settled, and often reasoned opposition or aversion.

abhor · often carries a moral dimension, suggesting repugnance for something seen as evil or shameful.

hate · is a more general term for intense dislike, often implying active hostility.

Opposites: admire, respect, cherish, adore, value

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'despise' comes to English from the Latin 'despicere', which literally means 'to look down at'. This is formed from 'de-' (down) and 'specere' (to look). The meaning has remained remarkably stable over centuries, always carrying the core idea of scornfully looking down on something or someone as inferior.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

utterly despisetruly despisedespise someone for somethingdespise hypocrisydespise weaknesssecretly despise

Despise is a very strong word, conveying more than simple dislike. It implies a judgment that the object of the feeling is worthless or contemptible. While 'hate' can be a hot, passionate emotion, 'despise' is often colder and more rooted in a sense of superiority or moral disgust. Use it when you want to convey a profound sense of scorn.

Word family: despicable, despised, despising

💬 Quick answers

What does it mean to despise someone?

It means to look down on them with a feeling of deep contempt and disgust. You consider them worthless or beneath you.

What is the difference between despise and hate?

Hate often implies intense, active hostility or passion. Despise is a colder feeling of looking down on someone or something as worthless and contemptible.

Is 'despise' a formal word?

Despise is a strong but standard English word used in both formal and informal contexts. Its intensity makes it suitable for serious discussion, but it's also used in everyday conversation to express strong dislike.

Can you despise a thing, not just a person?

Yes, you can despise abstract concepts like hypocrisy or cruelty, as well as activities or objects. For example, one might say, 'I despise this kind of sentimental art.'

1 word nerd collected it V

Want "despise" to actually stick?

Save it to your own vault, let AI explain it, practice till it's yours.

Start for free →