despise

Definition of despisenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb despise differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of despise are contemn, disdain, and scorn. While all these words mean "to regard as unworthy of one's notice or consideration," despise may suggest an emotional response ranging from strong dislike to loathing.

despises cowards

When can contemn be used instead of despise?

While in some cases nearly identical to despise, contemn implies a vehement condemnation of a person or thing as low, vile, feeble, or ignominious.

contemns the image of women promoted by advertisers

When might disdain be a better fit than despise?

The meanings of disdain and despise largely overlap; however, disdain implies an arrogant or supercilious aversion to what is regarded as unworthy.

disdained popular music

When would scorn be a good substitute for despise?

While the synonyms scorn and despise are close in meaning, scorn implies a ready or indignant contempt.

scorns the very thought of retirement

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of despise Many still despise the president. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 18 Jan. 2026 Its author, Sadeq Hedayat, loved Iran deeply, but despised what the country had become under Islamic leadership. Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026 Overall, the YouGov poll shows that the British public continues to despise Musk’s platform, with 65 percent holding a negative view of X, and only 12 percent holding a positive one. Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Jan. 2026 Some people just despise winter. Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for despise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despise
Verb
  • Vonn tapped her toe into Act 2 and didn’t hate it.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Bias, hate and stalemate serves no one for very long.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Then, as Musk has been prone to do, the former presidential adviser disregarded much of his previous explanation and said that building a civilization on Mars was still an option, just that building on the Moon is SpaceX’s current priority.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Decades of pandering to public employee unions, bloating of bureaucratic staffs, and disregarding voter wishes regarding the outsourcing of local services and limiting pensions have been identified.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Crazy how that works, and crazy that so many people seem to have forgotten that lesson (and many others) from their civics classes in high school.
    Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
  • But even if that New Year's resolution of clearing out the basement once and for all has been forgotten or abandoned by now, the year is still young.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Despise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despise. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on despise

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