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

Whether fans love it or hate it, the pairing has generated plenty of conversation ahead of the NFL season and has given Steelers Nation an unexpected new mascot to debate. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Israel and Turkey have had a stormy relationship of love and hate over the years, explains Alon Liel, an international relations scholar and a former chargé d’affaires at the Israeli Embassy in Ankara. — Shoshanna Solomon, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2026

Noun

Days after what police say was a hate-motivated shooting outside a gay bar in Tucson, Arizona, a fuller picture of the gunman is coming to light. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026

After dealing with the online hate (and appreciation) for months, Gunn’s mental health took a toll. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026