despised 1 of 2

despised

2 of 2

verb

past tense of despise

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of despised
Adjective
Smith had slapped Chris Rock onstage at the Academy Awards, and was suddenly one of the most despised actors in America. Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 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 traditional vuvuzela has been loved by some fans and despised by others. Kenny Choi, CBS News, 12 June 2026 The philosopher and theologian David Bentley Hart says that Christianity brought a moral revolution to a world that assessed a person’s value based on things such as birth, class, and power, where the weak were despised. Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026 The Chicago fans, however, were determined to let Ruth know that on their turf he was despised. Literary Hub, 8 June 2026 There was a time when famed hedonistic hostess Rebekah Harkness despised parties. Rosemary Counter, Vanity Fair, 8 June 2026 Though often despised, carp are exceedingly shy and difficult, and great fighters. Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 Corporate bosses and some regulators have long despised the practice of rooting for share prices to fall, but defenders say short selling creates an incentive to expose wrongdoing and acts as a check on increasingly passive stock markets. Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 2 June 2026 The goddess Hera — who despised Heracles — later set the crab in the heavens in the form of the constellation Cancer as a reward for its bravery. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 May 2026 Meanwhile, Larysa was stuck in Belarus, a country allied with Russia that Nataliia despised and had refused to move to, despite her daughter’s many pleas. Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despised
Adjective
  • Walmart, the second-cheapest option, was among the most disliked.
    Eva Flowe May 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
  • The British prime minister is only marginally less disliked by Britons, with his net favorability of minus 48 one of the worst since YouGov started tracking this metric in the 1970s.
    Alexander Smith, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Council members said the deal helps restore public trust by setting trash fees closer to what voters were initially told to expect and by eliminating a revenue experiment hated by Balboa Park museums and visitors.
    David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026
  • The end of Dexter is so widely hated that it’s considered by many to be among the worst TV show endings ever.
    Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Fines could be issued to both organizations and members of the public who disregarded the measures, though the rollout was designed to be gradual to allow time for adjustment.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026
  • Here, too, CDOT disregarded the objections of many residents as the agency previewed its plans during very limited neighborhood meetings and Zoom calls.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • For years, Knicks owner James Dolan has been scorned by fans.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 June 2026
  • Those who believed in finvenkismo scorned Raŭmismo.
    Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Despised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despised. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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