despise
Meaning
- To regard with contempt or scorn.
- To disregard or ignore.
Synonyms
disparage
treat with contempt
hold in contempt
treat badly
think nothing of
treat with harshness
hold in conrempt
denounce
look with contempt
think scorn of
hold in bondage
domineer over
spit at
regard as worthless
ride rough-shod over
think very little of
trample upon
recoil from
view with contempt
have a low opinion
not to heed
think meanly
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/dɪˈspaɪz/
Etymology
In summary
From Middle English despisen, from Old French despis-, stem of despire, from Latin dēspicere, present active infinitive of dēspiciō (“I look down upon, despise, scorn”), from dē (“down”) + speciō (“I look at”). Displaced native Old English forsēon.
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Notes