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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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!
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 film comes dangerously close to portraying Brontë’s creative pursuits as fueled mainly by these men and their warring desires (the two, naturally, despise each other). Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022 Some people despise vacuuming and mopping, and others simply just don't have the time to do it. Carly Kulzer, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 Bronwyn's fellow villagers despise the occupying force leftover from a conflict no human remembers. Darren Franich, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Since the Dodgers rule the National League West, does everyone in Arizona despise the Dodgers? Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2022 Most Americans despise turning their clocks an hour forward in the spring and an hour back in the fall, polls show. Dave Goldiner New York Daily News (tns), al, 26 July 2022 There’s also much to rue and even despise about classic Hollywood, starting with its exclusions. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 July 2022 This song is so powerful is caused the entire internet to collectively despise Jake Gyllenhaal. Maggie Horton, Country Living, 2 Aug. 2022 The bill seems to include two sets of provisions that environmentalists are likely to despise, and that could send American emissions in the wrong direction. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2022 See More
Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022 Some people despise vacuuming and mopping, and others simply just don't have the time to do it. Carly Kulzer, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 Bronwyn's fellow villagers despise the occupying force leftover from a conflict no human remembers. Darren Franich, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Since the Dodgers rule the National League West, does everyone in Arizona despise the Dodgers? Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2022 Most Americans despise turning their clocks an hour forward in the spring and an hour back in the fall, polls show. Dave Goldiner New York Daily News (tns), al, 26 July 2022 There’s also much to rue and even despise about classic Hollywood, starting with its exclusions. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 July 2022 This song is so powerful is caused the entire internet to collectively despise Jake Gyllenhaal. Maggie Horton, Country Living, 2 Aug. 2022 The bill seems to include two sets of provisions that environmentalists are likely to despise, and that could send American emissions in the wrong direction. Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2022 See More 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 feel scorn and dislike for
despised 1 of 2
adjective
as in hated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- hated
- loathed
- detested
- disliked
- abhorred
- disdained
- execrated
- abominated
- ignored
- forgotten
- disfavored
- unfavorite
- alienated
- unbeloved
- estranged
- abandoned
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loved
- beloved
- favored
- cherished
- admired
- special
- favorite
- adored
- dear
- fond
- appreciated
- revered
- precious
- darling
- sweet
- pet
- esteemed
- relished
- fair-haired
- white-headed
- treasured
- prized
despised
2 of 2verb
1
as in loathed
to dislike strongly I despise anchovies on pizza, and I refuse to eat them! Synonyms & Similar Words
- hated
- loathed
- detested
- abhorred
- abominated
- disdained
- execrated
- had it in for
- scorned
- deplored
- discountenanced
- disapproved (of)
- deprecated
- disfavored
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loved
- preferred
- liked
- favored
- desired
- enjoyed
- admired
- fancied
- relished
- revered
- adored
- worshiped
- approved (of)
- worshipped
- esteemed
- cherished
- idolized
- treasured
- prized
- venerated
- hallowed
2
as in disregarded
to ignore in a disrespectful manner a traitor hated and despised by the whole community Synonyms & Similar Words
- disregarded
- scorned
- neglected
- dismissed
- forgot
- flouted
- overlooked
- disparaged
- belittled
- passed over
- slighted
- deprecated
- overpassed
- slurred (over)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- used
- accepted
- approved