loathsome

adjective

loath·​some ˈlōth-səm  ˈlōt͟h- 

: giving rise to loathing : disgusting

a loathsome disease

Smoking is a loathsome habit.

loathsomely adverb

loathsomeness noun

Synonyms

• disgusting
• ugly
• awful
• horrible
• sickening
• hideous
• obnoxious
• obscene
• shocking
• dreadful
• offensive
• nasty

Examples of loathsome in a Sentence

we traced the foul smell to a pile of loathsome garbage by the back wall

Recent Examples on the Web

And Trump’s targeting of college campuses for being havens of antisemitism has caused a backlash from liberals who might despise that strain of hatred, but find Trump equally as loathsome. —Philip Elliott, Time, 23 June 2025

Covino on the other hand plays Paul with a dash of loathsome rich guy energy, that feels like the polar opposite of Carey’s mild nature. —Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025

If going through boxes is a particularly loathsome task, set a timer once a week for 30 minutes to start hacking away one cardboard box at a time. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2025

Thune also often praises wind energy—a booming industry in his home state—even though Trump considers turbines loathsome eyesores. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lothsum, from loth evil, from Old English lāth, from lāth, adjective

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

loathsome

adjective

loath·​some ˈlōth-səm  ˈlōt͟h- 

: very unpleasant : offensive

loathsomely adverb

loathsomeness noun