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 Still, many fans detested playing the game as Abby, the person who kills their beloved Joel. Eliana Dockterman, Time, 13 Apr. 2025 Wisconsin voters also will be asked April 1 to weigh in on a constitutional amendment to enshrine the state’s photo ID requirement to vote, something Republicans generally want and Democrats generally detest. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025 So, while there is no question that the estate tax is detested by perhaps everyone in the country (other than the obvious, estate planners themselves), there may be a lot of spin in the arguments for its repeal. Martin Shenkman, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025 Charlie Kirk is the right’s new kingmaker In many cases, the two factions detest wokeness in the same specific ways. Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detest
Verb
  • That narrative that got spun into, 'Oh, the vets hate the rookies.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
  • Stone, specifically, wrote that Amazon executives knew something was up once helicopters, which Bezos famously hated, became an obsession of his.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Superman, due July 11, is the first feature film set in the new DCU, and arguably one of the highest-stakes movies ever made, though Gunn despises that framing.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Detest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detest. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on detest

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!