despise

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈspʌɪz/

verb

[with object]
  • feel contempt or a deep repugnance for: he despised himself for being selfish

Derivatives

despiser

noun

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French despire, from Latin despicere, from de- 'down' + specere 'look at'

Spelling help

Unlike most verbs ending in -ise, despise cannot be spelled with an -ize ending.