hate 1 of 2

Definition of hatenext

hate

2 of 2

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
Originally, the law said the crime would have to be entirely motivated by bias or hate in order to qualify as a hate crime. Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026 But is there anyone that doesn’t hate at least part of the experience of streaming? Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
Let’s ensure that their remaining days are filled with love, light and dignity instead of hate, fear and pain. Dana Toppel, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026 Pulse Picks Jalen Johnson once bore the brunt of vociferous hate on the internet for pursuing his NBA dream. Chris Branch, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hate
Verb
  • The production reimagines the titular character as Alice, a novelist who despises hollow contemporary mantras and faces backlash for speaking her mind.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The talent to look into a mirror and not despise the person staring at me.
    Keith McNally, Vanity Fair, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Global leaders reflected on rising antisemitism and the need for unity to combat hatred and war, drawing parallels to defeating Nazism in 1945.
    Vanessa Gera, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The annual global event remembers the 6 million Jewish victims and millions of other victims and the commitment to stand against hatred and intolerance.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • At the time, the issue of who the enemy was didn’t cause much political disagreement in Washington; it was generally understood to be Al Qaeda, or groups like it.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
  • Spin is the enemy of accountability.
    John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • These findings echo a broader pattern political scientists call affective polarization: the replacement of disagreement with abhorrence.
    Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2025
  • 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
  • Beyond needle phobia or the physical discomfort of injections, convenience is a key reason people may be interested in switching to the Wegovy pill.
    Sean Hashmi, EverydayHealth.com, 16 Jan. 2026
  • The circumstances made the role ill-suited to Bennett, and everyone knew that Shawn was beset by phobias.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Fanning the flames of the drama was the mutual antipathy between the couples.
    Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
  • The stability in the Wing’s leadership comes as much of the theater industry – in New York and across the country – continues to grapple with the fallout of the Covid pandemic and shutdown, rising production costs and the Trump Administration’s antipathy towards government arts funding.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2026
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
  • Orthodox Jews viewed the pop-up novelty with its mixed troupes as an abomination, but young female actors and singers embraced the emancipatory promise of the stage.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
  • This second half of Godzilla’s nearly 70-year history is a towering showcase of how versatile Godzilla is; a character who can be a hero, villain, or even eldritch abomination — to mixed results.
    James Grebey, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hate. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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