Synonyms of loathe

loathe

verb

ˈlōt͟h 

as in to hate

to dislike strongly

I simply loathe tapioca pudding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hate
• despise
• detest
• abhor
• abominate
• disdain
• execrate
• have it in for
• disapprove (of)
• scorn
• deprecate
• deplore
• discountenance
• disfavor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• love
• like
• prefer
• desire
• enjoy
• favor
• fancy
• relish
• admire
• adore
• approve (of)
• worship
• revere
• cherish
• treasure
• esteem
• prize
• idolize
• venerate
• hallow

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb loathe contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of loathe are abhor, abominate, detest, and hate. While all these words mean "to feel strong aversion or intense dislike for," loathe implies utter disgust and intolerance.

loathed the mere sight of them

Where would abhor be a reasonable alternative to loathe?

While in some cases nearly identical to loathe, abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance.

a crime abhorred by all

In what contexts can abominate take the place of loathe?

In some situations, the words abominate and loathe are roughly equivalent. However, abominate suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation.

abominates all forms of violence

When is it sensible to use detest instead of loathe?

The words detest and loathe can be used in similar contexts, but detest suggests violent antipathy.

detests cowards

When is hate a more appropriate choice than loathe?

The meanings of hate and loathe largely overlap; however, hate implies an emotional aversion often coupled with enmity or malice.

hated the enemy with a passion

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of loathe

But the music lives on in tours by two people who loathe each other. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025

The Irish independence-supporting Fenians, represented primarily by hotheaded oaf Paddy (Seamus O’Hara) and his more strategically minded sister Ellen (Niamh McCormack), loathe the family’s conservative unionist policies. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025

In fact, Wendy kicking against her father figure and connecting with a xenomorph she’s been told to loathe and fear is basically exactly what David did in those films. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025

Veteran landscapers, casual gardeners, and everyone in between can agree on a lot of things, namely the fact that weeding is almost universally loathed. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2025