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 That was the level of detestation and dedication to overturning Roe. — Tara Kole, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 July 2022 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 Others balance their detestation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine against other concerns. — Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 21 Mar. 2022 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 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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detestation
  1. hatred
  2. enemy
  3. abhorrence
  4. antipathy
  5. hate
  6. aversion
  7. phobia
  8. abomination
Noun
  • The rivalry between the neighboring nations stretches back over 100 years on the pitch without ever being one that has slipped into hatred.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Proof that the babies aren’t born with hatred in their bellies and in their blood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • His death in an enemy attack plays into a powerful Shi'ite tradition of martyrdom and mourning, in which processions of flagellants beat their chests or backs.
    — Parisa Hafezi, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The day for battle is near, many of our enemies are arming themselves.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
Definition of enemy
Noun
  • But your abhorrence of the outcomes of particular elections doesn’t justify your saying, Well, the hell with that.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 2 July 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
  • The book beautifully captures the delicate line between love and hate, between victimhood and complicity.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
  • Unfortunately, this can lead to some individuals lashing out in response to their own insecurities, hate and low bar of aptitude, which is confirmed by the tenor of the attacks.
    — Jallicia Jolly, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of hate
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Grok showed the strongest biases, highly favoring Catholics and Protestants while showing an aversion for Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baha’i and Hindus.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Bush Hager, who is a twin, added that her mother, Laura Bush, often dressed her and her fraternal twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, in identical outfits as children, implying that this may be where her aversion to the style trend stems from.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 3 July 2026
Definition of aversion
Noun
  • Festivalgoers should expect petition endeavors aimed at mellowing out Idaho’s legal phobia about marijuana.
    — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2026
  • His father has many food phobias and drug issues.
    — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of phobia
Noun
  • Qatar 2022 was an abomination in so many ways, a World Cup staged in a nation roughly the size of Connecticut, with an appalling human rights record, but the football was frequently thrilling.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 13 June 2026
  • Yes, the first season of Big Brother was an abomination.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 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 9 Jul. 2026.

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