Spanish Conversation · Level 79
60 words
Spanish word
despectivo
Pronunciation
IPA/despekˈtiβo/
Meaning
- adjectivecontemptuous
Example
Su comentario fue despectivo y me dolió.
His comment was contemptuous and it hurt me.
More examples
La mirada despectiva del jefe me molestó.
The boss's contemptuous look bothered me.
Core concept
A sneering, dismissive expression.
Common phrases
comentario despectivo
contemptuous comment
tono despectivo
contemptuous tone
mirada despectiva
contemptuous look
Similar words
despreciativo: Belittling remark that implies a person or action is worthless or insignificant.
desdeñoso: Cold, disdainful tone or gesture conveying condescension and emotional distance.
insultante: Bluntly insulting comment intended to wound, humiliate, or provoke.
ofensivo: Expression or phrase that offends by hurting someone's feelings or sensibilities.
Definition in Spanish
Que muestra desdén o menosprecio hacia alguien o algo, normalmente mediante palabras, miradas o actitudes.
Word origin
Derived from Latin despectus, ultimately from despicere/ despecere 'to look down on' (de- "away" + specere "to look"), with -ivo forming the adjective.
Usage tips
- Common collocations are comentario despectivo and mirada despectiva, so the word typically labels contemptuous words or looks rather than general criticism.
Other meanings
- condescendingadjective
Opposites
- respetuosorespectfuladjective
- consideradoconsiderateadjective
Related words
- despectivamentecontemptuouslyadverb
- despectividadcontemptuousnessnoun