hate 1 of 2

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
Ryan was said to be hated by everyone in the prison, and eventually killed himself in the cell. Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025 Despite questions on this point (Haters gonna hate. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
The invading parasite is a culture of hate and paranoia and sadism — mass hysteria as sanctioned by the government that is supposed to protect you. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025 The Anti-Defamation League has an online database of hate symbols and codes that parents and educators can use to familiarize themselves with. Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hate
Verb
  • Really loved, obsessively loved and despised by every critic.
    Jen Juneau, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • His pushback against an effort to overhaul capital requirements earned him praise from Washington allies of the banking industry, which despised that proposal.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Raised under Augusta’s religious terror and hatred for women, Ed tries to hide his penchant for ladies’ underwear and masturbation to no avail.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Not as a land of fear, not as a divisiveness, not of government censorship, not of hatred.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While it’s commonly believed that cats and dogs are inherent enemies, the American Kennel Club (AKC) suggests that isn’t always the case.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Designed to mislead enemies The inflatable structure mimics the silhouette of advanced aircraft when viewed from satellites or the air.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • Their findings, published in the journal BMC Oral Health, suggest that the phobia isn’t necessarily tied directly to the dentist’s chair.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Support for political violence was even higher among individuals who harbored multiple hateful phobias, according to his survey of over 9,300 adults.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Global leaders are being tested by intractable wars in Gaza,Ukraine and Sudan, uncertainty about the economic and social impact of emerging artificial intelligence technology, and anxiety about Trump’s antipathy for the global body.
    Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2025
  • American health-care systems already frayed by a brutal pandemic are being dismantled further, and Americans’ antipathy for one another is having deadly effects on children and families.
    Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 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
  • Of course, there was the Luka Doncic abomination that caused a collective jaw drop among the entire basketball world.
    Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • This wasteful Everglades abomination surely is one of our worst.
    Elise Bennett, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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