24 uses
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Definition
to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
- It is rumored that Prince Vasili played a very despicable part in this affair and that he returned to Petersburg quite crestfallen.Book One — 1805 (83% in)
- His fertile mind instantly suggested to him a point of view which gave him a right to despise the adjutant and the minister.Book Two — 1805 (45% in)
- But you despise me.Book Three — 1805 (33% in)
- He liked Petersburg and despised Moscow.Book Five — 1806-07 (28% in)
- The fact that Speranski was the son of a village priest, and that stupid people might meanly despise him on account of his humble origin (as in fact many did), caused Prince Andrew to cherish his sentiment for him the more, and unconsciously to strengthen it.Book Six — 1808-10 (21% in)
- "No one except these despised God's folk who, wallet on back, come to me by the back door, afraid of being seen by the prince, not for fear of ill-usage by him but for fear of causing him to sin.Book Six — 1808-10 (99% in)
- For a long time he could not reconcile himself to the idea that he was one of those same retired Moscow gentlemen-in-waiting he had so despised seven years before.Book Eight — 1811-12 (3% in)
- In moments of pride, when he thought of his position it seemed to him that he was quite different and distinct from those other retired gentlemen-in-waiting he had formerly despised: they were empty, stupid, contented fellows, satisfied with their position, "while I am still discontented and want to do something for mankind.Book Eight — 1811-12 (3% in)
- But perhaps all these comrades of mine struggled just like me and sought something new, a path in life of their own, and like me were brought by force of circumstances, society, and race—by that elemental force against which man is powerless—to the condition I am in," said he to himself in moments of humility; and after living some time in Moscow he no longer despised, but began to grow fond of, to respect, and to pity his comrades in destiny, as he pitied himself.Book Eight — 1811-12 (3% in)
- Napoleon Bonaparte was despised by all as long as he was great, but now that he has become a wretched comedian the Emperor Francis wants to offer him his daughter in an illegal marriage.Book Eight — 1811-12 (4% in)
- All he cared about was gaiety and women, and as according to his ideas there was nothing dishonorable in these tastes, and he was incapable of considering what the gratification of his tastes entailed for others, he honestly considered himself irreproachable, sincerely despised rogues and bad people, and with a tranquil conscience carried his head high.Book Eight — 1811-12 (52% in)
- You all hate and despise me!" and she threw herself back on the sofa.Book Eight — 1811-12 (82% in)
- Till then he had reproached her in his heart and tried to despise her, but he now felt so sorry for her that there was no room in his soul for reproach.Book Eight — 1811-12 (97% in)
- I want to meet that man whom I despise, so as to give him a chance to kill and laugh at me!Book Nine — 1812 (35% in)
- With Pfuel was Wolzogen, who expressed Pfuel's thoughts in a more comprehensible way than Pfuel himself (who was a harsh, bookish theorist, self-confident to the point of despising everyone else) was able to do.Book Nine — 1812 (38% in)
- What the general was saying was even more clever and to the point, but it was evident that Kutuzov despised knowledge and cleverness, and knew of something else that would decide the matter—something independent of cleverness and knowledge.Book Ten — 1812 (44% in)
- It was evident that Kutuzov despised cleverness and learning and even the patriotic feeling shown by Denisov, but despised them not because of his own intellect, feelings, or knowledge—he did not try to display any of these—but because of something else.Book Ten — 1812 (44% in)
- It was evident that Kutuzov despised cleverness and learning and even the patriotic feeling shown by Denisov, but despised them not because of his own intellect, feelings, or knowledge—he did not try to display any of these—but because of something else.Book Ten — 1812 (44% in)
- He despised them because of his old age and experience of life.Book Ten — 1812 (45% in)
- Are we despicable Germans?Book Eleven — 1812 (37% in)
- Not only did it seem to him (as to all administrators) that he controlled the external actions of Moscow's inhabitants, but he also thought he controlled their mental attitude by means of his broadsheets and posters, written in a coarse tone which the people despise in their own class and do not understand from those in authority.Book Eleven — 1812 (58% in)
- Ramballe despised both these kinds of love equally: the one he considered the "love of clodhoppers" and the other the "love of simpletons.Book Eleven — 1812 (81% in)
- ...the possibility of bringing about the welfare of his peoples—at the time when Napoleon in exile was drawing up childish and mendacious plans of how he would have made mankind happy had he retained power—Alexander I, having fulfilled his mission and feeling the hand of God upon him, suddenly recognizes the insignificance of that supposed power, turns away from it, and gives it into the hands of contemptible men whom he despises, saying only: "Not unto us, not unto us, but unto Thy Name!Book Fifteen — 1812-13 (43% in)
- "Mary, you must despise me!" he would say.Book Fifteen — 1812-13 (51% in)
There are no more uses of "despise" in War and Peace.
Typical Usage
(best examples)