as in disliked
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in hated
to dislike strongly
I despise anchovies on pizza, and I refuse to eat them!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disregarded
to ignore in a disrespectful manner
a traitor hated and despised by the whole community
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despised
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
For most households, cleaning the oven is a despised chore.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Before public opinion turned against the war, Ali was likely the most despised man in America.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
There was appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity, as well as the wisdom and words, that Holtz provided to them during their lives, but it was muddied by his support of a political figure so many passionately opposed, and/or despised.
—Mac Engel
march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
Justifying Díaz-Canel’s removal, a figure long despised among Cubans on the island, might not be that difficult, given Havana’s long history in getting rid of members of the government deemed disloyal, corrupt or incompetent.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Ann Godoff, the founder of Penguin Press and the editor of Ron Chernow, Zadie Smith, Salman Rushdie, and Thomas Pynchon, would have despised this obituary.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
Liberal Democrats who despised Daley as a corrupt big-city boss hailed Jackson as a hero.
—Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
An unofficial list provided by the Rhode Island Invasive Species Council includes a number of aggressive plants that are widely despised by gardeners, such as Norway maple, Oriental bittersweet, Tree of Heaven, autumn olive, garlic mustard and Japanese knotweed.
—Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
Its author, Sadeq Hedayat, loved Iran deeply, but despised what the country had become under Islamic leadership.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
Trump took decisive action Saturday in launching precision military strikes in Venezuela that enabled special forces to seize and detain Maduro, an illegitimate leader despised by his own people.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
This is a despised company right now.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
For most households, cleaning the oven is a despised chore.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026
Before public opinion turned against the war, Ali was likely the most despised man in America.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Mujahedeen-e-Khalq is listed as a terrorist organization by Iran and is widely despised inside the country.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
There was appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity, as well as the wisdom and words, that Holtz provided to them during their lives, but it was muddied by his support of a political figure so many passionately opposed, and/or despised.
—Mac Engel
march 5, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
Justifying Díaz-Canel’s removal, a figure long despised among Cubans on the island, might not be that difficult, given Havana’s long history in getting rid of members of the government deemed disloyal, corrupt or incompetent.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Ann Godoff, the founder of Penguin Press and the editor of Ron Chernow, Zadie Smith, Salman Rushdie, and Thomas Pynchon, would have despised this obituary.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
Liberal Democrats who despised Daley as a corrupt big-city boss hailed Jackson as a hero.
—Johanna Neuman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
An unofficial list provided by the Rhode Island Invasive Species Council includes a number of aggressive plants that are widely despised by gardeners, such as Norway maple, Oriental bittersweet, Tree of Heaven, autumn olive, garlic mustard and Japanese knotweed.
—Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
Its author, Sadeq Hedayat, loved Iran deeply, but despised what the country had become under Islamic leadership.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
Trump took decisive action Saturday in launching precision military strikes in Venezuela that enabled special forces to seize and detain Maduro, an illegitimate leader despised by his own people.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 5 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despised
Adjective
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However, leaving for a rival as disliked as the Mets would undoubtedly leave a stain on his time with the Phillies.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Nov. 2025
-
The Rats are some of the most widely disliked characters in Andrzej Sapkowski’s original novels.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even if the board hated it, the city has some leeway.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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In due time the architect came up with an undulating single-story blob that people hated.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Under that model, traditional insurance is disregarded and patients instead pay a monthly fee for access to low-cost health care.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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After OpenAI published some of the terms of the contract on Saturday, many outside observers immediately questioned how the redlines on autonomous weapons and mass surveillance would actually be upheld, with some saying the language would still allow the safeguards to be disregarded.—
Hadas Gold,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Never underestimate the power of a CEO scorned.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
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Hell hath no fury like a therapist scorned.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despised. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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