DESPISED Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

despised 1 of 2

adjective

as in disliked

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Dissimilar Words

despised

2 of 2

verb

past tense of despise

as in hated

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disregarded

to ignore in a disrespectful manner a traitor hated and despised by the whole community

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of despised

Adjective

The despised Colonel Protheroe is found dead in the vicarage study by Reverend Leonard Clement (Kit Harington). — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2026 Smith had slapped Chris Rock onstage at the Academy Awards, and was suddenly one of the most despised actors in America. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 This is a despised company right now. — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026 For most households, cleaning the oven is a despised chore. — Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026 Before public opinion turned against the war, Ali was likely the most despised man in America. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025

Verb

Overnight, this 54-year-old Southern Californian began dealing with acid reflux, random bloating, constipation, and a rebelling digestive system that suddenly despised her favorite foods. — Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 17 Aug. 2026 Disliked, even hated, by millions of his countrymen, and despised by possibly billions abroad, Trump has a target on his back. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026 Most of the refugees from the region fended for themselves in shanty towns around Baku, despised by the urbanites even as their plight was weaponized. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 This movie proved to be a huge hit, raking in over $230 million worldwide even though most critics despised it. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 24 July 2026 Along with his brilliant, sparkling wife, Princess Caroline, George Augustus equally despised his cold father. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 9 July 2026 Lenin despised its predecessor, municipal socialism, for much the same reason. — Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee once put it this way about why some golfer tirades add character while others are despised. — Brody Miller, New York Times, 19 June 2026 The traditional vuvuzela has been loved by some fans and despised by others. — Kenny Choi, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for despised

Adjective

Finding a disliked celebrity with the offending crossed legs is optional.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026
Walmart, the second-cheapest option, was among the most disliked.

— Eva Flowe May 29, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026

Definition of disliked

Verb

Rabin was hated among the Israeli far-right for signing the Oslo Peace Accords with the Palestinians.

— Frank Andrews, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Disliked, even hated, by millions of his countrymen, and despised by possibly billions abroad, Trump has a target on his back.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of hated

Verb

But the agreement was largely disregarded within weeks, as each side repeatedly accused the other of violating its terms.

— Kevin Breuninger,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Spencer is Emmy-nominated for narrating the true crime Lost Women docuseries, which gives voice to murdered and disregarded women.

— Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of disregarded

Verb

Now that the Chicago Bears have scorned Portage’s bid to build a stadium on the city’s north side, the Redevelopment Commission plans to repackage the site before offering it to other developers.

— Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026
James scorned his home area of Northeast Ohio, with Akron and Cleveland as his only homes, to that point.

— Zach Harper, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of scorned

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despise

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“Despised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/despised. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of despised

adjective

verb

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