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

Black is comforted by the fact that indie rock fans who hate the podcast could still enjoy themselves at the awards show. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

Fair warning about the Italian bergamot, yuzu, and lemongrass scent—some love it; some hate it. — Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2026

Noun

Arulampalam said in the last year and a half the hate emails, messages and negative comments on social media against him have sharply increased. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026

Too many lives have been lost and there has been too much suffering, but only sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not honest and only advances more divisiveness and hate. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2026