detest

verb

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de·test | \ di-ˈtest

, dē- \

detested; detesting; detests

Definition of detest

transitive verb

1 : to feel intense and often violent antipathy toward : loathe detests politics They seem to truly detest each other.

2 obsolete : curse, denounce

Other Words from detest Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About detest

Synonyms & Antonyms for detest

Synonyms

Antonyms

love

Choose the Right Synonym for detest

hate, detest, abhor, abominate, loathe mean to feel strong aversion or intense dislike for. hate implies an emotional aversion often coupled with enmity or malice. hated the enemy with a passion detest suggests violent antipathy. detests cowards abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance. a crime abhorred by all abominate suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation. abominates all forms of violence loathe implies utter disgust and intolerance. loathed the mere sight of them

Examples of detest in a Sentence

I detest pepperoni, and wouldn't eat it if you paid me!

Recent Examples on the Web Many gardeners detest this plant, while a few actually like it. — Janet Carson, Arkansas Online, 9 May 2022 The Lakers and the league are said to detest the series’ existence, too, with NBA lawyers already reaching out to HBO about the use of trademarks and logos well ahead of the show’s premiere. — Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2022 Among those who have voiced concern loudly enough to gain public attention is state Sen. Duey Stroebel, R-Cedarburg, who Lahner listed as someone who seems to detest the tool as policy. — Jim Riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2022 This sympathy is particularly strong among young Poles, many of whom detest the Law and Justice party and strongly support the European Union. — New York Times, 18 Mar. 2022 Polling shows Americans widely detest the practice: 75 percent would prefer to end it, according to an October poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. — Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2022 Polling shows Americans widely detest the practice: 75 percent would prefer to end it, according to an October poll by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. — Erin Cox, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Feb. 2022 The city of Chicago signed over its parking business to a private company on a 75-year contract, a short-term financial windfall that residents will detest for generations. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2021 But if takeout was just like us, why did my father detest it so much? — Jenny Liao, Bon Appétit, 30 Mar. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.