verb
despise
dih-SPYZE/dɪˈspaɪz/
To strongly dislike and have no respect for someone or something.
She despises the careless littering.
Etymology
The underlying image is looking down on someone or something. This became a way to express scorn: to despise is not simply to dislike, but to regard the object as beneath respect.
In context
if they truly knew me, they'd despise me. But the shocking truth is that when people humbly, truly show themselves, when they take accountability, people tend to be way more generous and accepting than you'd ever believe
More examples
- He despised the dishonest tactics used against his opponent.
- They came to despise the corrupt official.
- She refused to despise someone merely for being poor.
Forms
despise · despises · despised · despising
Similar words
- loathe
- Emphasizes intense dislike.
- scorn
- Emphasizes lack of respect and a feeling of superiority.