hate 1 of 2

hate

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noun

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

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 hate
Verb
People said that Aja hates Drag Race and Aja quit drag to become a rapper. Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 10 May 2025 Voters hate bad roads; while improvements are visible. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
Noun
The Trump administration has frozen billions in federal funding to colleges and universities that do not comply with the president's executive orders to protect Jewish students from hate and dismantle DEI policies. Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 2 May 2025 For her, this is important because there is so much hate and anger in the world. Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for hate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hate
Verb
  • The Hero of This Book, by Elizabeth McCracken McCracken once promised never to make her deeply private mother, Natalie, a character in one of her books—especially not in a memoir, a genre the elder McCracken despised.
    Sophia Stewart, The Atlantic, 9 May 2025
  • That’s true, in the sense that Canadians now despise Trump and elected Carney to stand up to him.
    Chris Brennan, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • The project educates students about the dangers of hatred and bigotry and the importance of standing against all forms of prejudice.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, Republicans such as our current president spew contempt like volcanoes of hatred, prejudice and madness.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Coming from an impoverished family, Ding eagerly took part in public humiliation rallies against teachers, intellectuals, government officials and others labeled as enemies of Mao’s vision.
    Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
  • Asking everyone else to leave, the two enemies have a private conversation that finally gets Faye out of Specter Litt Williams for good.
    Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • The reactions from right-of-center publications divide into roughly four camps, aligning on a spectrum ranging from vocal approval to outright abhorrence.
    Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
  • Tolin doesn’t candy coat the animosity, helping children to understand how artists and Others continue to be misunderstood and how that lack of appreciation fuels abhorrence.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Dogs experiencing noise phobia might pace, pant, tremble or hypersalivate, the article stated.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The research could help scientists better understand how to help people with anxiety, phobias, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Trump has already demonstrated his antipathy to free and fair elections that don’t result in his victory.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Farage, for his part, cites Trump as a populist role model, and shares the president-elect’s antipathy toward bodies such as the European Union.
    Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Between the lines: Many undecideds are painfully trying to balance their sense of obligation with their detestation for Trump, as USA Today first detailed on Thursday.
    Erin Doherty, Axios, 14 Dec. 2024
  • 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
Noun
  • Jamal Murray goes supernova, Nikola Jokic trails in MVP race and the All-Star Weekend abomination Renck: Nuggets’ selfess Aaron Gordon navigates adversity with perspective, support of teammates Keeler: Nuggets’ Christian Braun wants to start.
    Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2025
  • The series was an abomination of epic scale for Miami, but one that maybe shouldn’t have shocked following a 37-45 regular season and 10th playoff seed that worked up in the play-in to No. 8.
    Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hate. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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