as in despised
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in hated
to feel dislike for
a style of stage acting that is disfavored by most theatergoers today
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disliked
to hold an unfavorable opinion of
polls showing that this political candidate is highly disfavored by most voters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disfavored
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
As the court expressly recognized, the First Amendment draws a line, which the government may not cross, at efforts to use government power—including the power of the purse—‘to punish or suppress disfavored expression’ by others.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
In the ruling, the court concluded that the administration attempted to suppress disfavored news coverage by singling out two speakers on the basis of their speech.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Earlier this year, we were advised to avoid using words included on the government’s growing list of disfavored words.
—Leslie Fields-Cruz, IndieWire, 27 Nov. 2025
Some curbed its oversight over sister branches, others installed term limits or mandated a retirement age for justices, and still others granted the Senate the power to overrule disfavored opinions and require new justices to have prior judicial experience.
—Time, 14 Nov. 2025
And Carr’s public comments undoubtedly connect that threat to Kimmel’s disfavored comments.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Research that could be seen as disfavored by one political party may not get done because of the fear it could be terminated with a change in administration.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 6 Feb. 2026
Data indicates these petitions are granted less than 1% of the time and are particularly disfavored in the Second Circuit.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
On Wednesday morning, that tally stood at a hefty seven hundred and thirty-four, with cases ranging from the President’s immigration policies to his dismantling of disfavored agencies to his effort to punish law firms to his ban on transgender athletes in women’s sports.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
As the court expressly recognized, the First Amendment draws a line, which the government may not cross, at efforts to use government power—including the power of the purse—‘to punish or suppress disfavored expression’ by others.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
In the ruling, the court concluded that the administration attempted to suppress disfavored news coverage by singling out two speakers on the basis of their speech.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2026
Earlier this year, we were advised to avoid using words included on the government’s growing list of disfavored words.
—Leslie Fields-Cruz, IndieWire, 27 Nov. 2025
Some curbed its oversight over sister branches, others installed term limits or mandated a retirement age for justices, and still others granted the Senate the power to overrule disfavored opinions and require new justices to have prior judicial experience.
—Time, 14 Nov. 2025
And Carr’s public comments undoubtedly connect that threat to Kimmel’s disfavored comments.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
Musero said that evidence in the trial would show that the lists signaled to other agents that he was disfavored and shouldn’t be submitted for work opportunities.
—Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Research that could be seen as disfavored by one political party may not get done because of the fear it could be terminated with a change in administration.
—Anil Oza, STAT, 6 Feb. 2026
Data indicates these petitions are granted less than 1% of the time and are particularly disfavored in the Second Circuit.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disfavored
Adjective
-
Smith had slapped Chris Rock onstage at the Academy Awards, and was suddenly one of the most despised actors in America.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This is a despised company right now.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Dude on the left hated himself.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
In the fourth quarter with the game on the line, Blair called a loose-ball foul on the Cavs and Atkinson hated the call, but rather than scream or dart toward the official, Atkinson just sort of stood near his bench, staring at Blair and shaking his head.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The first five floors were labeled S-A-L-E-M, and because the Grahams disliked alcohol, the hotel had no bar.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
-
Wes Streeting, the country’s ambitious young Health Secretary, is disliked on the left of the Party and stalked by questions about his own relationship with Mandelson.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The comments came two weeks after the House rejected DeSantis’ push to pass bills to expand vaccine exemptions for children entering public schools and to install consumer-friendly regulations on artificial intelligence products and companies.—
Gray Rohrer,
Sun Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
Bianco launched a voter‑fraud investigation after a local group claimed the county counted roughly 46,000 more ballots than were received, a claim election officials rejected.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Other candidates have criticized her and expressed their support for LGBTQ+ students — Rendon perhaps most pointedly.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
-
Owens, who has frequently criticized Hunter Biden and his family over his business dealings, drug addiction, and the controversy surrounding his laptop, previewed a wide-ranging discussion touching on addiction, politics, faith, and Washington’s political culture.—
Adisa Hargett-Robinson,
The Washington Examiner,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disfavored.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disfavored. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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