Synonyms of hate

hate 1 of 2

verb

as in to despise

to dislike strongly

she hates her job, she hates her friends, and she hates her life!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

hate

2 of 2

noun

ˈhāt 

1

as in hatred

a very strong dislike

hate can sometimes be replaced with tolerance when people meet face to face

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hatred
• contempt
• distaste
• disdain
• loathing
• abhorrence
• detestation
• abomination
• spite
• disgust
• jealousy
• hostility
• execration
• resentment
• malice
• bitterness
• hatefulness
• malevolence
• meanness
• revulsion
• animosity
• spitefulness
• repulsion
• malignancy
• malignity
• repugnance
• enmity
• despite
• scorn
• grudge
• antagonism
• antipathy
• odium
• maliciousness
• aversion
• invidiousness
• bile
• despitefulness
• horror
• rancor
• pique
• vitriol
• virulence
• venom
• jaundice
• spleen
• cattiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• love
• devotion
• affection
• inclination
• worship
• appetite
• admiration
• fondness
• acceptance
• liking
• tolerance
• taste
• passion
• adoration
• veneration
• relish

2

as in enemy

something or someone that is hated

the Alaska pipeline is a pet hate of environmentalists

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enemy
• abhorrence
• phobia
• antipathy
• detestation
• abomination
• adversary
• aversion
• bête noire
• anathema
• execration
• dread
• nuisance
• bugaboo
• annoyance
• bugbear
• horror
• hang-up
• grievance
• bogey
• peeve
• hassle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• love
• beloved
• dear
• joy
• pleasure
• darling
• honey
• delight
• enjoyment
• preference
• sweetheart
• favorite
• treasure
• like
• felicity

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb hate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hate are abhor, abominate, detest, and loathe. While all these words mean "to feel strong aversion or intense dislike for," hate implies an emotional aversion often coupled with enmity or malice.

hated the enemy with a passion

When would abhor be a good substitute for hate?

The meanings of abhor and hate largely overlap; however, abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance.

a crime abhorred by all

When might abominate be a better fit than hate?

The synonyms abominate and hate are sometimes interchangeable, but abominate suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation.

abominates all forms of violence

When can detest be used instead of hate?

While in some cases nearly identical to hate, detest suggests violent antipathy.

detests cowards

When is it sensible to use loathe instead of hate?

While the synonyms loathe and hate are close in meaning, loathe implies utter disgust and intolerance.

loathed the mere sight of them

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of hate

Verb

For years, such shows effectively channelled both the populist anger and the wealth worship of the past two decades, inviting audiences to hate the élite while coveting their five-star amenities and their cashmere baseball caps. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 July 2026

So, yes, there’s a reason why most people are right handed and no, not all cats hate water and that’s okay. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 22 July 2026

Noun

As part of the collective bargaining agreement reached in March, the WNBA introduced a no-hate campaign that included a stronger fan code of conduct that specifies punishments for online abuse of players and other inappropriate behaviors. — Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Unfortunately, nearly everyone with a public profile receives hate, harassment, trolling, or even threats. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026