DESPISE Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

despise

verb

di-ˈspīz

Definition of despise next

as in to hate

to dislike strongly I despise anchovies on pizza, and I refuse to eat them!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to disregard

to ignore in a disrespectful manner a traitor hated and despised by the whole community

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 Raised to despise the Harkonnens, Keiran finds this offensive. —

Keith Phipps, Vulture, 22 Dec. 2024 And anyone here in Congress knows that he's despised by Republicans too. —

ABC News, 22 Dec. 2024 Tesla despises the crash-notification requirement, believing that NHTSA presents the data in ways that mislead consumers about the automaker's safety, two sources familiar with Tesla executives’ thinking told Reuters. —

Jarrett Renshaw, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024 White argues that the crypto industry has become a re-creation of much of what its original ideology claimed to despise. —

Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for despise

Recent Examples of Synonyms for despise

Verb

James' next opportunity to play will be on Thursday when the Lakers host their biggest and most hated rival, the Boston Celtics, at home.

— Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
That’s why Big Business hates her April 24, 2023 Creamer said there have been no indications that immigrants in Kern County were responsible for a wave of violent crime, the ostensible justification for the raids.

— Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025