Despised — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /di-ˈspīz/ de·spise

Meaning & Definition of Despised

Despised (verb)

  1. to strongly dislike or hate, to look down on with disrespect or aversion
  2. to regard as negligible, worthless, or distasteful

Despised (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in hated, loathed

    similar: abhorred, abominated, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite, unbeloved, abandoned, forgotten, ignored, alienated, estranged
    opposite: beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, favorite, fond, loved, pet, precious, special, sweet, white-headed, admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered, prized, treasured

Despised (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to dislike strongly

    "I despise anchovies on pizza, and I refuse to eat them!"

    similar: abhorred, abominated, detested, execrated, hated, loathed, had it in for
    related: deplored, deprecated, disapproved (of), discountenanced, disdained, disfavored, scorned
    opposite: loved
    near: desired, fancied, favored, liked, preferred, enjoyed, relished, admired, adored, approved (of), esteemed, hallowed, idolized, revered, venerated, worshipped, cherished, prized, treasured

  2. to ignore in a disrespectful manner

    "a traitor hated and despised by the whole community"

    similar: disregarded, flouted, scorned
    related: dismissed, forgot, neglected, overlooked, overpassed, passed over, slurred (over), belittled, deprecated, disparaged, slighted
    near: accepted, approved, used

Related Entry: Despise (verb)

Despise is a different word from Despised. The synonyms below are for despise, not for despised.

  1. to dislike strongly

    "I despise anchovies on pizza, and I refuse to eat them!"

    similar: abhor, abominate, detest, execrate, hate, loathe, have it in for
    related: deplore, deprecate, disapprove (of), discountenance, disdain, disfavor, scorn
    opposite: love
    near: desire, fancy, favor, like, prefer, enjoy, relish, admire, adore, approve (of), esteem, hallow, idolize, revere, venerate, worship, cherish, prize, treasure

  2. to ignore in a disrespectful manner

    "a traitor hated and despised by the whole community"

    similar: disregard, flout, scorn
    related: dismiss, forget, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slur (over), belittle, deprecate, disparage, slight
    near: accept, approve, use

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Despised

The most common words with a similar meaning to Despised:

abhorred, abominated, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed, unfavorite, unbeloved, abandoned, forgotten, ignored, alienated, estranged, disregarded, flouted, scorned, had it in for

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Despised

Words with the opposite meaning of Despised:

beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, favorite, fond, loved, pet, precious, special, sweet, white-headed, admired, adored, appreciated, esteemed, relished, revered, prized, treasured

Related Words for Despised

deplored, deprecated, disapproved (of), discountenanced, dismissed, forgot, neglected, overlooked, overpassed, passed over, slurred (over), belittled, disparaged, slighted

Near Antonyms of Despised

desired, fancied, liked, preferred, enjoyed, approved (of), hallowed, idolized, venerated, worshipped, accepted, approved, used

Word Forms of Despised

Inflections: despising

Derived words: despisement (noun), despiser (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Despised

Middle English, from Anglo-French despis-, stem of despire, from Latin despicere, from de- + specere to look spy

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Despised

What does "Despised" mean?

"Despised" means to strongly dislike or hate, to look down on with disrespect or aversion. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to strongly dislike or hate, to look down on with disrespect or aversion. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Despised"?

Other words for "Despised" include abhorred, abominated, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated and hated. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Despised" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Despised"?

There are 34 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Despised". Common alternatives include abhorred, abominated, detested, disdained, disfavored, disliked, execrated, hated, loathed and unfavorite.

What is the opposite of "Despised"?

Antonyms of "Despised" include beloved, cherished, darling, dear, fair-haired, favored, favorite and fond. Near antonyms include desired, fancied, liked and preferred.

How do you use "Despised" in a sentence?

Examples of "Despised" in a sentence: "I despise anchovies on pizza, and I refuse to eat them!"; "a traitor hated and despised by the whole community".

Is "Despised" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Despised" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Despised"?

"Despised" is pronounced /di-ˈspīz/ and divided into syllables as de·spise.

What is the origin of the word "Despised"?

"Despised" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French despis-, stem of despire, from Latin despicere, from de- + specere to look spy. First known use: 14th century.