despise
/dis'paiz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To feel contempt or a deep repugnance for: "despise" means to regard as unworthy, inferior, or vile, often accompanied by a strong feeling of scorn or disgust.
- To look down upon with disdain: It involves a judgment that someone or something is beneath consideration or respect.
Examples of Usage
- Verb:
- She despises dishonesty in any form.
- He despises the political corruption that plagues his country.
- They despise the new regulations, seeing them as pointless.
Advanced Usage
- "to be despised": to be the object of contempt.
- The tyrant was despised by his own people.
- "utterly despise": to despise completely or to an extreme degree.
- I utterly despise the cruelty shown to animals.
Variants and Related Words
- Despicable (adj): deserving to be despised; contemptible.
- His actions were despicable.
- Despite (prep): a different word meaning "without being affected by"; in spite of.
- They proceeded despite the warnings. (Note: This is a distinct word, not a variant of "despise," but it is etymologically related.)
Synonyms
- Scorn: to reject or dismiss as contemptible or unworthy.
- Disdain: to regard or treat with haughty contempt.
- Loathe: to feel intense dislike or disgust for.
Antonyms
- Admire: to regard with respect and warm approval.
- Esteem: to regard highly or favorably.
- Cherish: to hold dear; feel love for.
Related Phrases
- Hold in contempt: to consider someone or something as deserving scorn.
- The court held him in contempt for his actions.
- Look down one's nose at: (idiom) to regard with disdain or condescension.
- She looks down her nose at anyone who hasn't been to university.
Verb
- look down on with disdain
- He despises the people he has to work for
- The professor scorns the students who don't catch on immediately