prezirati

1. to despise; to scorn
   Prezire ljude koji lažu. — He despises people who lie.
   Zašto me toliko prezireš? — Why do you despise me so much?
2. formal (of danger, death) to disregard; to defy
   Vojnici su prezirali opasnost i krenuli napred. — The soldiers defied the danger and moved forward.

Takes a direct object in the accusative: prezirati koga/šta.