LOOK DOWN (ON OR UPON) Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

look down (on or upon)

verb

Definition of look down (on or upon)

as in to disdain

to show contempt for I am tired of the way they look down on us like we aren't good enough for them

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for look down (on or upon)

Verb

The title character disdains the common folk, and the play’s complicated political discussion and harsh, jagged poetry aren’t what most picnicking playgoers are after.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Raised in a household of voracious readers in suburban Philadelphia, her father a professor of Spanish at the University of Pennsylvania and her mother having worked for magazines, Sebold disdained the university’s frat culture.

— Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026

Definition of disdain

Verb

The leak itself received a mountain of backlash from industry professionals, animators and others for disrespecting the years of work put into crafting the film.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Kenzie completely rejects Corbin’s because Corbin, having disrespected her, is now dead to her.

— Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 30 June 2026

Definition of disrespect

Verb

But Kennedy despises the technology and has spread significant misinformation about mRNA technology.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026
Many of them despise Trump because of what ICE has done to their communities, which includes rounding up and detaining people who are here in the country legally, many of whom were born here.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of despise

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.

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look down one's nose (at)

look down (on or upon)

looked

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“Look down (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/look%20down%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of look down (on or upon)

verb

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