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
That’s bad news for the Parr family, and especially father Bob (Craig T. Nelson), who hates his office job and longs to return to his super life. Barry Levitt, Time, 26 June 2025 No one hates economic uncertainty more than the business community. Jennifer Palmer, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
There is never a place for this kind of political hate. Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2025 San Diego’s Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities face the same enemies: rising hate and violence by extremists who profit from our division. Fabienne Perlov, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hate
Verb
  • Centrists despised the deep cuts to programs for the poor and elderly.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 1 July 2025
  • Many of them love their country but despise what the regime has turned it into.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • It's been very difficult to see just how much of this hatred has been normalized.
    Leila Fadel, NPR, 1 July 2025
  • Period drama enthusiasts will be interested to know that Wright set the movie in the late-18th century instead of the early-19th century in part because of his hatred of empire waist dresses.
    Lia Beck, EW.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • It’s often considered an enemy of development in the state due to its ability to slow projects to a grinding halt.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2025
  • After each round, a new hand is drawn from the deck, enemies perform their actions (and maybe more enemies appear), and action points reset.
    Jason Bennett, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Holly hits the road with the activist and brings along a gun, despite her deep need to be near her home and her abhorrence of weapons.
    Maren Longbella, Boston Herald, 30 May 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Hartford Courant This has developed in phobias known as friggatriskaidekaphobia, which is the fear of Friday the 13th, or triskaidekaphobia, which means the fear of the number 13.
    Tribune News Reports, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025
  • As seen in the video above, even before the fire alarm goes off, the dog was triggered, which happens to canines with phobias.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • All the losing, the antipathy toward Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and the lack of any true stars have factored into the current malaise.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
  • Despite his deep, deep antipathy toward Netanyahu, Trump understands the transactional nature of his relationship with those voters who prioritize Israel’s future over any domestic U.S. priorities.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 17 June 2025
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
  • While Bombshell took home the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling in 2020, which was admittedly deserved in the case of Charlize Theron’s transformation into Megyn Kelly, Kidman’s wig was an abomination.
    Jihane Bousfiha, Vulture, 2 July 2025
  • Mansory’s latest improvement—or abomination, depending on your perspective—is a G-Wagen convertible with a livery inspired by the board game Monopoly.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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