What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hated
Example
I hated the movie because it was too violent. [hated: past tense]
Example
She is hated by everyone in the office because of her rude behavior. [hated: verb]
despise
Example
I despise people who lie. [despise: present tense]
Example
He despises his boss because of the way he treats his employees. [despises: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hated is more commonly used than despise in everyday language. Hated is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while despise is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hated and despise?
Despise is more formal and less common than hated. It is typically used in more serious or professional contexts, such as academic writing or formal speeches.
