detest

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 Black South Africans detested the Springboks as a symbol of the brutally violent, repressive apartheid regime. Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Republicans detest the idea of spending billions of dollars to shore up the Affordable Care Act. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025 Yet, daily, the media are full of stories of how much whole groups of Christians detest certain other groups of people based solely on those factors. Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025 Bulgakov’s novel The White Guard, published in 1925 and set at the same time, is an elegy for Tsarist Kyiv that detests both Ukrainian national aspirations and Bolshevik rule. Uilleam Blacker, The Atlantic, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for detest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detest
Verb
  • Some hate can't be negotiated out.
    Michael Ruiz , Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The reasons for loving Adams in Leeds white were the same reasons for hating him while playing for the opposition.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Dreyfusards, his defenders, were largely liberal supporters of the secular, democratic Republic; the anti-Dreyfusards were mostly Roman Catholic reactionaries who despised everything the modern state represented.
    Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
  • This alone was enough to ensure they were despised by others.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detest. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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