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Definition of hatenext

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
Remember that White vaguely referred to hate, fear mongering and divisiveness. Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Nearly two months after suffering a fractured spine and skull, 19-year-old Brandon Mendez is trying to focus on recovering rather than wasting his energy on hating the Perris man accused of intentionally crashing into people in Culver City. Laurie Perez, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
Saturday in Chicago, once again, showcased the harsh reality that the opposition to Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is rooted in hate, intolerance, and delusion. Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Back in March, Williams and co-star François Arnaud posted matching statements to their Instagram stories, telling off viewers who post hate comments on their castmates’ socials. Jack Dunn, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hate
Verb
  • Those of us who despise Trumpism too rarely asked ourselves whether Trump’s efforts to conceal an apparently consensual relationship with Stormy Daniels were the proper grounds for prosecution.
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Overnight, this 54-year-old Southern Californian began dealing with acid reflux, random bloating, constipation, and a rebelling digestive system that suddenly despised her favorite foods.
    Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Christian leaders, along with the mayor of Dearborn and the chief of police, came together Monday afternoon to send out a message of unity against hatred.
    Heath Kalb, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Ungodlike thoughts and their outcomes are not negated just by trying not to think about evil, mistakes, disease, hatred, lack, sorrow, etc.
    The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The two started off as enemies as Judy joined the Zootopia Police Department, but then put aside their differences to solve a mystery in the animal city.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Inspired by true events, her feature film debut tells the dark story of a small northeastern German village at the end of WWII, when the Nazi regime gave its citizens the order to leave nothing alive for the enemy to find.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
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
Noun
  • Turns out that the star had quite the number of phobias to conquer.
    Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026
  • Left untreated, anxiety in dogs tends to escalate into phobias, which are far harder to address.
    Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026
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
Noun
  • 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, Literary Hub, 3 Feb. 2026
  • 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
  • And that was before the abomination — three-parts Netflix advertising event and one-part baseball game — even happened.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Hate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hate. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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