detest

verb

di-ˈtest How to pronounce detest (audio)
Definition of detestnext
as in to hate
to dislike strongly I detest pepperoni, and wouldn't eat it if you paid me!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb detest contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of detest are abhor, abominate, hate, and loathe. While all these words mean "to feel strong aversion or intense dislike for," detest suggests violent antipathy.

detests cowards

When is abhor a more appropriate choice than detest?

The words abhor and detest are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance.

a crime abhorred by all

When might abominate be a better fit than detest?

The synonyms abominate and detest are sometimes interchangeable, but abominate suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation.

abominates all forms of violence

In what contexts can hate take the place of detest?

While in some cases nearly identical to detest, hate implies an emotional aversion often coupled with enmity or malice.

hated the enemy with a passion

Where would loathe be a reasonable alternative to detest?

In some situations, the words loathe and detest are roughly equivalent. However, loathe implies utter disgust and intolerance.

loathed the mere sight of them

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of detest Having fought off several rounds of nationwide protests since 2017, the Iranian regime knows full well that many of its citizens detest it. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Everyone can find something in the Iran treaty proposal to detest. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Sunday, albeit indirectly, Tampa Bay played a role in Florida acquiring Brady Tkachuk from Ottawa, reuniting him with younger brother Matthew to form a pairing Lightning fans will be detesting for at least the next two seasons. — Eduardo A. Encina, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2026 Mami hates my mullet, truly detests it. — Joseph Trinidad, Longreads, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for detest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detest
  1. hate
  2. despise
Verb
  • The judges love Naheim’s gown but hate his jacket, which makes Law feel claustrophobic.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Whether fans love it or hate it, the pairing has generated plenty of conversation ahead of the NFL season and has given Steelers Nation an unexpected new mascot to debate.
    — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of hate
Verb
  • Hate him, despise him, be jealous of his wealth, but support his efforts to destroy Iran and hopefully end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The zombies despise water and are connected to a lab experiment that involves chimps (the special effects get a bit iffy there).
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of despise

Browse Nearby Words

deters
detest
detestable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detest. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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