despised; despising
1
: to look down on with disrespect or aversion
despised the weak
2
: to regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful
despises organized religion
Examples of despise in a Sentence
He and Julie grooved to Cuban son and jazz on NPR and loved arty films, for instance; and they distrusted big business and despised tract houses, malls, and other aesthetically unpleasing byproducts of a consumer society.
—
Brian C. Anderson, National Review, 13 Mar. 2006
She was despised as a hypocrite.
I despise anchovies on pizza, and I refuse to eat them!
Brian C. Anderson, National Review, 13 Mar. 2006
She was despised as a hypocrite.
I despise anchovies on pizza, and I refuse to eat them!
Recent Examples on the Web
Tian Richards shows restraint and then liberation as Opal’s brother Larry, a U.S. Marine who despises violence.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2024
This is a dream for me, someone who despises buttons and zippers.
—Dahvi Shira, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2024
The broadcaster also despised the demise of the Pac-12 after UCLA — alongside rival USC — announced its departure for the Big Ten Conference.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2024
While thousands of government supporters attended the funeral and memorial services across Iran, many Iranians who oppose the government and despised Mr. Raisi for his record of human rights violations showed apathy and some even cheered his death.
—Leily Nikounazar, New York Times, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for despise 
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2024
This is a dream for me, someone who despises buttons and zippers.
—Dahvi Shira, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2024
The broadcaster also despised the demise of the Pac-12 after UCLA — alongside rival USC — announced its departure for the Big Ten Conference.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2024
While thousands of government supporters attended the funeral and memorial services across Iran, many Iranians who oppose the government and despised Mr. Raisi for his record of human rights violations showed apathy and some even cheered his death.
—Leily Nikounazar, New York Times, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for despise
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'despise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near despise
Cite this Entry
“Despise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/despise. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
despise
verb
de·spise
di-ˈspīz 
despised; despising
: to consider as beneath one's notice or respect : feel scorn and dislike for
despiser
noun
despisingly
adverb
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