detestation

noun

de·​tes·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌte-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce detestation (audio)
di-
1
: extreme hatred or dislike : abhorrence, loathing
2
: an object of hatred or contempt

Examples of detestation in a Sentence

a congenital detestation of injustice, which drove her to become an activist for civil rights the family's pickiest eater is quite vehement in expressing his feelings about boiled cabbage, a particular detestation of his
Recent Examples on the Web One of the most memorable chapters epitomizes her detestation for the ultra-wealthy and pompous intellectuals who rushed to rationalize her work. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024 Media coverage oscillated wildly between sycophantic applause and puritanical scrutiny - celebrities made to traipse an ephemeral, razor thin line between public adoration and detestation. Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 4 Aug. 2023 That was the level of detestation and dedication to overturning Roe. Tara Kole, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 July 2022 Others balance their detestation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine against other concerns. Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 21 Mar. 2022 Here all the liturgical phrases of the 19th-century religion of progress, which had seemed hollow and platitudinous to a young man growing up in America in detestation of the Sunday supplements, rang true. John Dos Passos, National Review, 28 Sep. 2020 Germany has set aside its traditional detestation for debt to unleash emergency spending, while enabling the rest of the European Union to breach limits on deficits. Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020 But how much of a life, free of troubles and self-detestation, can a 15-year-old boy concerned with raising an infant build before his sense of self is devoured? Darcel Rockett, chicagotribune.com, 3 Oct. 2019 On Iran, Trump’s detestation for diplomacy is equally dangerous. Trudy Rubin, Philly.com, 6 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detestation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detestation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near detestation

Cite this Entry

“Detestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detestation. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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