despise
To dislike someone or something very strongly.
despise in a sentence
- Cats seem to despise getting wet.
- The grumpy troll would despise anyone who crossed his bridge.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to despise?
- Aadore
- Badmire
- Chate
- Dlove
Show the answer
C: hate. The other three mean the opposite of despise.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to despise?
- Ahate
- Blove
- Cdetest
- Dloathe
Show the answer
B: love. The other three mean nearly the same as despise.
Words that mean something similar
hate, detest, loathe
Words that mean the opposite
love, admire, adore
More words about emotions & feelings
- despondent: Very sad and without any hope.
- detest: To dislike something so much that you cannot bear it.
- discontent: A feeling of being unhappy and not satisfied.
- disdain: A feeling that someone or something is not worth your respect.
- dismay: A shocked, worried feeling when something unpleasant happens.
- distraught: So upset and worried that you can hardly think.
- distress: Great worry, sadness or pain.
- downcast: Sad and low, often looking at the ground.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test