Synonyms of loathe

loathe

verb

ˈlōt͟h 

as in to hate

to dislike strongly

I simply loathe tapioca pudding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hate
• despise
• detest
• abhor
• abominate
• disdain
• have it in for
• disapprove (of)
• execrate
• deplore
• scorn
• deprecate
• discountenance
• disfavor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• love
• like
• prefer
• desire
• enjoy
• favor
• fancy
• relish
• admire
• adore
• approve (of)
• worship
• revere
• cherish
• treasure
• esteem
• prize
• idolize
• venerate
• hallow

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb loathe contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of loathe are abhor, abominate, detest, and hate. While all these words mean "to feel strong aversion or intense dislike for," loathe implies utter disgust and intolerance.

loathed the mere sight of them

Where would abhor be a reasonable alternative to loathe?

While in some cases nearly identical to loathe, abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance.

a crime abhorred by all

In what contexts can abominate take the place of loathe?

In some situations, the words abominate and loathe are roughly equivalent. However, abominate suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation.

abominates all forms of violence

When is it sensible to use detest instead of loathe?

The words detest and loathe can be used in similar contexts, but detest suggests violent antipathy.

detests cowards

When is hate a more appropriate choice than loathe?

The meanings of hate and loathe largely overlap; however, hate implies an emotional aversion often coupled with enmity or malice.

hated the enemy with a passion

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of loathe

When Elsbeth sits in on a rehearsal, she’s first dismayed by the script’s accusations of evidence planting, then delighted to see Mateo (probably her favorite perp to date), and finally, puzzled by how much the actors openly loathe their director. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 9 May 2025

Christo transformed Kansas City park As is often the case with art, spectators at the time both loved and loathed it. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2025

Perhaps the nostalgia is not for de Blasio but for his political moment, when loathed political figures seemed to stay gone. —Eric Lach, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

Love her or loathe her, Carrie Bradshaw knows how to make an entrance. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025