Word: despise

Associations

"Despise" means to strongly dislike someone or something, often with a sense of contempt.

• Example 1: She despises lies. (This means she really hates lies and thinks they are very wrong.)
• Example 2: He despised the way she treated others. (Here, it shows he has a strong dislike for her behavior.)
• Example 3: They despised losing the game. (In this case, it indicates they felt deep contempt for the situation of losing.)

A well-known synonym for "despise" is "hate." The important difference is that "hate" can be more intense and general, while "despise" has a connotation of looking down upon something as inferior or unworthy.

Substitution

Here are some other words or phrases you could use instead of "despise":

• "loathe": This word emphasizes an even stronger feeling of disgust.
• "detest": Similar to despise, but can imply a deeper emotional response.
• "disdain": This suggests an attitude of superiority towards the object of dislike.

Deconstruction

The word "despise" comes from the Latin "despicere," which means to look down upon.

• "De-" is a prefix meaning "down" or "away."
• "spicere" means "to look."

Understanding this breakdown helps recall that "despise" is about looking down on something you have a strong dislike for.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a person, action, or thing you despise? Why do you feel that way?
• How do you feel when you see something you despise?
• In what situations might someone use the word "despise" instead of just saying "I hate"?