detestation

noun

ˌdē-ˌte-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce detestation (audio)
Definition of detestationnext
1
as in hatred
a very strong dislike a congenital detestation of injustice, which drove her to become an activist for civil rights

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enemy
something or someone that is hated the family's pickiest eater is quite vehement in expressing his feelings about boiled cabbage, a particular detestation of his

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 detestation How Nelson is reformulated from one who feels desire to one who feels detestation (as well as shame for having desired) is the remarkable achievement of both the story and the storyteller and the system that requires it. — Literary Hub, 3 Feb. 2026 One of the most memorable chapters epitomizes her detestation for the ultra-wealthy and pompous intellectuals who rushed to rationalize her work. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024 Media coverage oscillated wildly between sycophantic applause and puritanical scrutiny - celebrities made to traipse an ephemeral, razor thin line between public adoration and detestation. — Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 4 Aug. 2023 That was the level of detestation and dedication to overturning Roe. — Tara Kole, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 July 2022 Others balance their detestation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine against other concerns. — Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 21 Mar. 2022 Here all the liturgical phrases of the 19th-century religion of progress, which had seemed hollow and platitudinous to a young man growing up in America in detestation of the Sunday supplements, rang true. — John Dos Passos, National Review, 28 Sep. 2020 Germany has set aside its traditional detestation for debt to unleash emergency spending, while enabling the rest of the European Union to breach limits on deficits. — Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detestation
  1. hatred
  2. enemy
  3. abhorrence
  4. antipathy
  5. hate
  6. aversion
  7. phobia
  8. abomination
Noun
  • Orlando should be proud of the people who gave those words meaning by refusing to let hatred go unanswered.
    — Linda Chapin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The exchange is one of many contentious clashes between those who oppose data centers in their communities, which have earned bipartisan hatred, and those advocating for them.
    — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • After a period of inactivity that included elbow surgery, Álvarez — beyond his opponents — faces his greatest enemy in Father Time, as demonstrated by his September 2025 loss to Terence Crawford, which cost him his four super-middleweight titles.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Lakshmana, however, recognizes the deception and initially refuses to leave, confident in Rama’s ability to defeat any enemy.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • El-Sayed and Piker have professed their abhorrence of anti-Semitism.
    — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
  • When human decency and basic civility fall victim to partisanship and ideology, and abhorrence of violence becomes tempered by political aims, monstrosities and tyrannies become possible.
    — Michael Bloomberg, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025
Definition of abhorrence
Noun
  • The other is that Republicans’ antipathy towards vote-by-mail is waning.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
  • Alexander Kazakov | Afp | Getty Images That Russia and China are seen as ideologically aligned on many geopolitical issues, with each sharing a traditional antipathy and distrust towards the West, and Washington.
    — Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 20 May 2026
Definition of antipathy
Noun
  • There's always room for good-natured college football fan ribbing, chanting, rivalries, and even some good old-fashioned hate.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • He was eventually banned from Twitter (as well as YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit), and his podcast was removed from Spotify for hate-speech violations.
    — Nathan Taylor Pemberton, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of hate
Noun
  • Our server was effusive in her congratulations and attention, especially to my husband’s nut aversion.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
  • While rodents normally avoid cat odors, those infected with the parasite can lose some of that natural aversion and even become attracted to cat odors.
    — Tara Deans, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of aversion
Noun
  • But there was already a phobia about speaking Spanish in government settings or schools.
    — Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Clinically, phobias are considered anxiety disorders, but some researchers believe that everyone is a little trypophobic.
    — Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of phobia
Noun
  • What are the implications when much of humanity witnesses the same pyrotechnic abomination at the same time?
    — David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026
  • It a thematic fit, and after nearly 200 episodes, there’s no doubting this team’s ability to deliver fresh, new abominations.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of abomination

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detestably
detestation
detestations
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Cite this Entry

“Detestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detestation. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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