Definition

1. 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

1. 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