1
as in to hate
to dislike strongly
I despise anchovies on pizza, and I refuse to eat them!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in disdain
open dislike for someone or something considered unworthy of one's concern or respect
an expression of total despisement for the "unwashed masses"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despise
Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
Problem highlights the ideological inconsistencies of the small-town Tennessee singer-songwriter who despises a coastal metropolis but loves to dip in the cadences of rappers who live in them.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 20 May 2025
And Trump’s targeting of college campuses for being havens of antisemitism has caused a backlash from liberals who might despise that strain of hatred, but find Trump equally as loathsome.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 23 June 2025
Superman, due July 11, is the first feature film set in the new DCU, and arguably one of the highest-stakes movies ever made, though Gunn despises that framing.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for despise
Verb
Marchand has gone hated-to-hero in a matter of weeks, with a late-season trade bringing him to Sunrise from the rival Boston Bruins, with whom Marchand was despised by Panthers fans and Panthers alike.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
Problem highlights the ideological inconsistencies of the small-town Tennessee singer-songwriter who despises a coastal metropolis but loves to dip in the cadences of rappers who live in them.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 20 May 2025
And Trump’s targeting of college campuses for being havens of antisemitism has caused a backlash from liberals who might despise that strain of hatred, but find Trump equally as loathsome.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 23 June 2025
Superman, due July 11, is the first feature film set in the new DCU, and arguably one of the highest-stakes movies ever made, though Gunn despises that framing.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for despise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despise
Verb
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Fans wouldn't hate adding an extra game to the football season.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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It was purposefully exploited because people will hate anything that’s different.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
Verb
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The Dalai Lama, however, has said that his successor will be born outside China and has urged his followers to disregard any appointment made by the Chinese Communist Party.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
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The Watergate scandal did inspire the creation of the Freedom of Information Act, which Gillett disregards.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2025
Noun
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In speeches and interviews as health secretary, Kennedy has made clear his disdain for mainstream autism research, brushing aside the insights gained for this tremendously complex condition through years of research.—
Caren Zucker,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
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Mason's family murmured their disdain from the back of the courtroom while Broadwell addressed her.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Child and pet safety: Never forget to safeguard young children and pets by not leaving them unattended in vehicles, especially during scorching weather when car interiors can become life-threateningly hot.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
11 July 2025
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These all will look perfect from long days in the sand, or poolside with a cold drink in hand—just don’t forget the SPF.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Violating the terms of a gang injunction could land someone in contempt of court, a misdemeanor that carries up to a six-month sentence.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
24 June 2025
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And to date, the Republican majority, which has subpoena power, which has the ability to move bills to the floor, which has the ability to hold administration officials in contempt, has shown precisely zero interest in doing that.—
Michel Martin,
NPR,
24 June 2025
Noun
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It's been very difficult to see just how much of this hatred has been normalized.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
1 July 2025
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Period drama enthusiasts will be interested to know that Wright set the movie in the late-18th century instead of the early-19th century in part because of his hatred of empire waist dresses.—
Lia Beck,
EW.com,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Despise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despise. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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