HATE Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: When can 'detest' be used instead of 'hate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hate , detest suggests violent antipathy. // detests cowards

Q: 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

hate 1 of 2

verb

Definition of hate

as in to despise

to dislike strongly she hates her job, she hates her friends, and she hates her life!

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hate

2 of 2

noun

ˈhāt

as in hatred

a very strong dislike hate can sometimes be replaced with tolerance when people meet face to face

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in enemy

something or someone that is hated the Alaska pipeline is a pet hate of environmentalists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Outside of the Bronx, everybody hated the Yankees – until the 2001 World Series, when the nation’s sympathies were extended to the team in pinstripes. — Don Riddell, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 There’s a group of people that truly hates it and thinks all of it is fake. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 26 Oct. 2026

Noun

These scholars support a growing chorus of voices calling for accountability when hate is manifested. — Arun Brahmbhatt, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026 Apu is being revived amid a climate of rising anti-South Asian and Indian hate. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hate

Verb

Unlike Intel, which investors now despise, Amazon said there will be a huge return on its spending beginning in the second half of 2027, when its semiconductor business takes off for massive profitability.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
In fact, many voters in his Southern Illinois district despise him.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of despise

Noun

Orlando should be proud of the people who gave those words meaning by refusing to let hatred go unanswered.

— Linda Chapin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
The exchange is one of many contentious clashes between those who oppose data centers in their communities, which have earned bipartisan hatred, and those advocating for them.

— Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

After a period of inactivity that included elbow surgery, Álvarez — beyond his opponents — faces his greatest enemy in Father Time, as demonstrated by his September 2025 loss to Terence Crawford, which cost him his four super-middleweight titles.

— Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Lakshmana, however, recognizes the deception and initially refuses to leave, confident in Rama’s ability to defeat any enemy.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of enemy

Noun

El-Sayed and Piker have professed their abhorrence of anti-Semitism.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 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

Definition of abhorrence

Noun

But there was already a phobia about speaking Spanish in government settings or schools.

— Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026
Clinically, phobias are considered anxiety disorders, but some researchers believe that everyone is a little trypophobic.

— Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of phobia

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

Definition of antipathy

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

Definition of detestation

Noun

What are the implications when much of humanity witnesses the same pyrotechnic abomination at the same time?

— David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026
It a thematic fit, and after nearly 200 episodes, there’s no doubting this team’s ability to deliver fresh, new abominations.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of abomination

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“Hate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hate. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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