1
as in hates
to dislike strongly
I despise anchovies on pizza, and I refuse to eat them!
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disregards
to ignore in a disrespectful manner
a traitor hated and despised by the whole community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of despises
Though Brigitta despises him, Maria shelters him.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
This brief funk is broken when Clay comes home to find his mother — who, like everyone else in their backwoods local area, despises their stunts — watching an old movie on TV.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The aide, Colonel Dave Butler, a former infantry officer, is a longtime leader in Army public affairs (not a specialty Hegseth embraces) who worked closely with the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley (whom Hegseth despises).
—Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
The production reimagines the titular character as Alice, a novelist who despises hollow contemporary mantras and faces backlash for speaking her mind.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Policing women is a byproduct of patriarchy, a system that despises women who dare to embrace individualism, self-expression, and self-autonomy.
—Essence, 5 Jan. 2026
Melissa Fields, the founder of Shades of Gray Design Studio, greatly despises seeing workout supplies in the bedroom.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 30 Dec. 2025
The feature stars Carrey as the titular green outcast who despises Christmas and Momsen as young Whoville resident Cindy Lou Who.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
Maybe your coworker has an upcoming presentation to senior leadership or your friend despises mushrooms.
—Lorraine K. Lee, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
This brief funk is broken when Clay comes home to find his mother — who, like everyone else in their backwoods local area, despises their stunts — watching an old movie on TV.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026
The aide, Colonel Dave Butler, a former infantry officer, is a longtime leader in Army public affairs (not a specialty Hegseth embraces) who worked closely with the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley (whom Hegseth despises).
—Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026
The production reimagines the titular character as Alice, a novelist who despises hollow contemporary mantras and faces backlash for speaking her mind.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
Policing women is a byproduct of patriarchy, a system that despises women who dare to embrace individualism, self-expression, and self-autonomy.
—Essence, 5 Jan. 2026
Melissa Fields, the founder of Shades of Gray Design Studio, greatly despises seeing workout supplies in the bedroom.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 30 Dec. 2025
The feature stars Carrey as the titular green outcast who despises Christmas and Momsen as young Whoville resident Cindy Lou Who.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 17 Nov. 2025
Maybe your coworker has an upcoming presentation to senior leadership or your friend despises mushrooms.
—Lorraine K. Lee, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for despises
Verb
-
State Climatologist Luigi Romolo hates to lose.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Jokic hates to admit it, but his eyes often light up at the opportunity to prove the best offense is superior to the best defense.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Helmed by Executive Chef Elly Wentworth (a one-to-watch having shimmied over from stalwart restaurant, the Angel in Dartmouth), Fowlescombe’s kitchen disregards old-world hotel dining with its stiff formalities, along with the frothy alchemy of the Michelin set.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Today, a president disregards assessments that proved to be right, and the predictable comes to pass.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the night of a fundraiser at the club, Josh forgets his wallet and Austin and Ashley are tasked with returning it, walking in at the end of a heated argument between Josh and Lindsay — a fight that reaches a violent climax that Ashley films on her phone.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Well, for one, Josh forgets the date of his wife’s birthday.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In character as a free spirit who scorns social convention, Davis is all haughty tosses of the head and sneering lines.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
-
In between the first two Godfather films, Cazale acted in another Coppola film, The Conversation (1974), playing Stan, an assistant to a meticulous and devout surveillance expert (Gene Hackman) who scorns Stan’s irreverent attitude to their work.—
René Ostberg,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Despises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despises. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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