Despise-Hate | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

Despise vs. Hate

Despise

/dɪˈspaɪz/
To strongly dislike or have no respect for someone or something.

Examples:

She despises being told how to live her life.Politicians who distort facts are widely despised.He despised the taste of bitter herbs.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Hate

/heɪt/
A strong feeling of dislike or aversion towards someone or something

Examples:

I don't give anyone a reason to hate me.Hated her for being rich and beautiful and careless and brainless.We will not have a lot of fellows hating us."

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Hate is a more general and common term for strong dislike or aversion.
  • Despise is a stronger term, often suggesting contempt or scorn in a deeper sense.
  • Think of hate as disliking intensely, while despise suggests looking down on someone or something with disdain.
  • Hate can be an emotional response without much thought, while despise typically involves judgment and perceived inferiority.
  • Use hate in everyday contexts to describe strong dislike, but reserve despise for when you feel contemptuous.
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