despise
dih-SPYZ
Despise (verb) means to feel strong contempt or scorn for someone or something. Example: “She despised him for lying to her family.”
verb
1
To feel strong contempt or scorn for someone or something.
"She despised him for lying to her family."
"He despises dishonesty in any form."
"James still despises his brother for the time he pushed him out of a tree during their childhood."
How to use despise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hate and look down on someone or something at the same time.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "despite" (meaning "in spite of") — the words look similar but are unrelated in meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
despise someone for
secretly despise
come to despise
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- despises
- Past tense
- despised
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ him for lying to her family.
Etymology
From Old French despire, from Latin despicere, "to look down upon" — from de- ("down") and specere ("to look").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for despise
See all rhymes for 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.
