English Explanatory Dictionary

despise

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To regard with contempt or scorn.
  2. To disregard or ignore.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈspaɪz/ en-us-despise.ogg

Word forms

despise despises despising despised dispise

Etymology

From Middle English despisen, from Old French despis-, stem of despire, from Latin dēspicere (“to look down upon, despise, scorn”), from dē (“down”) + speciō (“to look at”). Displaced native Old English forsēon.

Synonyms

contemn despect disrespect despise disdain disesteem look down on misrespect scorn spurn hate discount misregard take no notice of brush off disregard dissemble ignore misheed neglect pass pass by pay no heed put aside set at nought shrug off slough tune out unheed unmind

Antonyms

admire appreciate cherish esteem respect revere value treasure to worship honor idolize lay store by look up to prize hallow put store by put store in rate regard set store by venerate worthy

Related words

despect despection despite vilipend contempt hate bah

Derived words

despicable despisal despisement despiser despiseworthy despisingly despisingness undespising
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