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despise

 - 3 dictionary results

de⋅spise

  [di-spahyz]
Use despise in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -spised, -spis⋅ing.
to regard with contempt, distaste, disgust, or disdain; scorn; loathe.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME despisen < OF despis-, s. of despire < L dēspicere; see despicable

Related forms:
de⋅spis⋅a⋅ble, adjective
de⋅spis⋅a⋅ble⋅ness, noun
de⋅spis⋅er, noun
de⋅spis⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
contemn, detest.

Antonyms:
admire.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To despise
de·spise   (dĭ-spīz')   
tr.v.   de·spised, de·spis·ing, de·spis·es

  1. To regard with contempt or scorn: despised all cowards and flatterers.

  2. To dislike intensely; loathe: despised the frigid weather in January.

  3. To regard as unworthy of one's interest or concern: despised any thought of their own safety.


[Middle English despisen, from Old French despire, despis-, from Latin dēspicere : dē-, de- + specere, to look; see spek- in Indo-European roots.]
de·spis'al (-spī'zəl) n., de·spis'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to regard with utter contempt: despises incompetence; contemned the dictator's actions; disdained my suggestion; scorns sentimentality; scouted simplistic explanations.
Antonym: esteem
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

despise 
1297, from O.Fr. despis-, stem of despire, from L. despicere "look down on, scorn," from de- "down" + specere "look at" (see scope (1)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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