What does despised mean?
Despised is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'despise', meaning to feel contempt or intense dislike for someone or something judged worthless, inferior, or morally objectionable. It can also function as an adjective describing a person, group, or thing that others hold in contempt, as in 'a despised tyrant' or 'a despised custom'. The word carries strong negative weight: it suggests more than simple dislike, implying a settled attitude of scorn and often a sense of moral superiority on the part of the one who feels it. People commonly say they despised dishonesty, cruelty, arrogance, or flattery. In historical and literary contexts, 'despised' frequently appears in passive constructions — 'he was despised by his contemporaries' — underscoring social rejection. Derived from the Latin 'despicere', literally 'to look down at', the word preserves that image of condescension in everyday English today.
Past tense and past participle of 'despise': to feel contempt or a deep dislike for someone or something regarded as unworthy or bad.
"Throughout his career he despised mediocrity and said so openly."
Usually followed by a direct object; often used passively ('was despised') to describe social rejection.
Held in contempt; strongly disliked or scorned.
"The despised tax became a symbol of government overreach."
Common in phrases such as 'despised minority', 'most despised', frequently in journalism and historical writing.
The word 'despise' comes from the Latin 'despicere' — literally 'to look down at' — so when you despise something, you are linguistically looking down your nose at it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of despised
Despised derives from the verb 'despise', which entered English from Old French 'despisir', ultimately from Latin 'despicere', meaning 'to look down upon', formed from 'de-' ('down') plus 'specere' ('to look'). The same Latin root gives English words such as 'despite', 'despicable', 'spite', and 'spectator'. The word has carried its sense of contemptuous regard since Middle English times, and its participial form 'despised' developed adjectival uses alongside its verbal role.
Related word forms
How despised is actually used
Stronger than mere dislike: 'despised' implies looking down on its object with contempt, often mixed with moral disapproval. It takes a direct object and typically expresses a settled attitude rather than a passing feeling. The adjectival use ('a despised minority', 'a despised practice') is common in formal writing and journalism.
Easily confused with despised
'Despoiled' means robbed, plundered, or stripped of something valuable, while 'despised' means looked down on with contempt.