despise
9 synonyms and 9 antonyms for despise, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To feel strong contempt or scorn for someone or something.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use despise
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
despise someone for
secretly despise
come to despise
Etymology
From Old French despire, from Latin despicere, "to look down upon" — from de- ("down") and specere ("to look").
Full origin of despise →Frequently asked questions
What does “despise” mean?
The word “despise” means to feel strong contempt or scorn for someone or something. In plain terms, to hate and look down on someone or something at the same time.
How do you pronounce “despise”?
“Despise” is pronounced dih-SPYZ (/dɪˈspaɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “despise” in a sentence?
Here is “despise” used in a sentence: “She despised him for lying to her family.”
What is another word for “despise”?
Words with a similar meaning to “despise” include contemn, despect, disrespect, disdain, disesteem and look down on.
What is the opposite of “despise”?
The opposite of “despise” — its antonyms — are admire, appreciate, cherish, esteem and respect.
What part of speech is “despise”?
“Despise” is a verb.
Where does the word “despise” come from?
The word “despise” comes from Latin. From Old French despire, from Latin despicere, "to look down upon" — from de- ("down") and specere ("to look").
Is “despise” a common word?
“Despise” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
