despise

USAGE SUMMARY

"despise" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to express a strong feeling of dislike or contempt for someone or something. For example: "I despise his behavior and have no respect for him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which living person do you most despise, and why?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Actually I would have thought that having a new set of slightly more foreign foreigners living next door to despise would have been right up the Mail's street.

The Guardian

The fear of the people who handle corpses is not limited to rural villages in faraway lands Though we despise the undertaker, we know why we need them.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was because of Duchamp's rising influence that an ever-competitive Picasso came to despise him.

The Guardian - Arts

They exemplify Chinese philosopher and poet Lao Tzu's saying: "A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him.

The Guardian

No doubt this film will inspire debate, between feminists who despise Mattel for this sexualised image of impossible beauty and those who point at Barbie's 150 careers and talk about things like empowerment and other gentle synonyms for feminism.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In Israel's case, it can benefit from cooperation with Iran, particularly as the region is under threat of growing extremism by fundamentalist Wahhabi fighters who despise Shiites and Jews alike.

The Guardian

Undertakers, Matson says, are a group, "we allow ourselves to despise".

The Guardian - Opinion

While many despise what they regard as racism, others applaud the Ukip leader for, as they see it, speaking the truth.

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, there are many rural dwellers who either despise hunting or simply don't care either way.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chomsky noted that "if we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all" – but this applies no less to freedoms of belief and conscience.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despise", ensure that the context reflects the intensity of the emotion. Avoid using it in situations where a milder term like "dislike" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "despise" when a milder term like "dislike" or "disapprove of" would be more appropriate. Overusing strong words can weaken their impact when you need to express truly strong feelings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "despise" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating the person, thing, or action that is being regarded with contempt or scorn. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a strong feeling of dislike.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despise" is a verb used to express a strong feeling of dislike or contempt. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media. While it's essential to use it appropriately to match the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey, overusing it in mild situations should be avoided. Alternatives such as "abhor", "loathe", and "detest" can be used to add nuance to your expression. Understanding its function, purpose, and register will help you wield this word effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abhor

Represents a feeling of repugnance and loathing, stronger than dislike.

loathe

Indicates intense dislike or disgust.

detest

Suggests a vehement and unwavering dislike.

scorn

Implies contempt and disdain.

disdain

Conveys a feeling of superiority and contempt.

feel contempt for

Expresses a strong feeling of disapproval and disrespect.

abominate

Signifies extreme disgust and aversion.

have no respect for

Indicates a lack of admiration and a degree of contempt.

regard with aversion

Shows a strong feeling of dislike and a desire to avoid.

look down on

Implies a sense of superiority and condescension.

FAQs

How can I use "despise" in a sentence?

You can use "despise" to show a strong feeling of dislike or contempt for someone or something. For example, "I despise his behavior and have no respect for him."

What are some alternatives to the word "despise"?

You can use alternatives like "abhor", "loathe", or "detest" depending on the context and intensity of the feeling.

What's the difference between "despise" and "dislike"?

"Despise" indicates a much stronger feeling of aversion and contempt than "dislike". "Dislike" suggests a mild feeling of aversion, while "despise" implies intense hatred and contempt.

Is it grammatically correct to use "despise"?

Yes, "despise" is a grammatically correct verb that can be used to express a strong feeling of dislike or contempt.