disprize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low (archaic/poetic)Literary, archaic, formal, poetic
Quick answer
What does “disprize” mean?
to hold in low esteem.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to hold in low esteem; to undervalue or scorn.
A formal or literary term meaning to despise, disdain, or treat with contempt, often implying a judgment of worthlessness or a refusal to grant honor or value.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in usage, as the word is equally archaic and rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of antiquity, formality, and possibly an elevated, moralistic judgment. No modern colloquial connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use for both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British literary or historical commentary due to the preservation of older lexical layers, but this is a minimal distinction.
Grammar
How to Use “disprize” in a Sentence
[Subject] disprizes [Object] (transitive).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disprize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old philosopher claimed to disprize material possessions entirely.
- She did not disprize his advice, but chose to ignore it for personal reasons.
American English
- The Puritan settlers were taught to disprize idle amusement.
- He disprized the award, seeing it as a symbol of a corrupt system.
adverb
British English
- No established adverbial form.
- No established adverbial form.
American English
- No established adverbial form.
- No established adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- No established adjectival form.
- No established adjectival form.
American English
- No established adjectival form.
- No established adjectival form.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Extremely rare; might appear in literary analysis or historical texts discussing older English.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disprize”
- Misspelling as 'disprise' (which is an obsolete form).
- Using it in modern spoken English where 'look down on' or 'despise' is appropriate.
- Incorrect pronunciation placing stress on first syllable (/ˈdɪspraɪz/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered an archaic or literary word. You will almost never hear it in everyday conversation or see it in modern non-literary writing.
'Despise' is a common, strong word meaning to feel contempt or intense dislike. 'Disprize' is archaic and focuses more on the act of assigning low value or esteem, often with a moral or philosophical nuance.
No, there is no standard noun form 'disprize'. The related noun would be 'disprizal', which is even more obscure and archaic.
It is pronounced /dɪsˈpraɪz/, with the stress on the second syllable, just like the word 'despise'.
to hold in low esteem.
Disprize is usually literary, archaic, formal, poetic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PRIZE' as something valuable. The prefix 'DIS-' negates it. So, to DIS-PRIZE is to treat something as NOT a prize, i.e., to undervalue it.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUE IS WEIGHT / STATUS IS HEIGHT (to disprize is to assign low weight/value or to place something low in status).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'disprize' MOST appropriately used?