1
as in disgust
a dislike so strong as to cause stomach upset or queasiness
the sight of his mortal enemy getting that undeserved promotion filled him with loathing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hatred
a very strong dislike
I have an uncompromising loathing for anyone who would deliberately harm an animal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hating
to dislike strongly
I simply loathe tapioca pudding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hateful
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loathing
Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Donald Trump makes no secret of his loathing for regulations that limit water and energy use by home appliances.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2025
In contrast, Dugin’s fluency with these arguments is as formidable as his loathing for liberalism is sincere.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Whereas Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt were boyhood United fans who grew up loathing their rivals — and, in Gary Neville’s case, made no attempt to hide it — Liverpool’s squad in 2025 reflects the less tribal, more cosmopolitan outlook of the modern Premier League.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loathing
Verb
Journalists are filled with fear and loathing over the threats facing the Fourth Estate.
—Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Donald Trump makes no secret of his loathing for regulations that limit water and energy use by home appliances.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 11 Apr. 2025
In contrast, Dugin’s fluency with these arguments is as formidable as his loathing for liberalism is sincere.
—James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
Whereas Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt were boyhood United fans who grew up loathing their rivals — and, in Gary Neville’s case, made no attempt to hide it — Liverpool’s squad in 2025 reflects the less tribal, more cosmopolitan outlook of the modern Premier League.
—Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loathing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loathing
Noun
-
The phrase used to be spoken with a whiff of disgust by an older generation displeased with the behavior of young people compared to their own youthful comportment.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
13 June 2025
-
Asked about their emotional reactions to immigrants, those in the dehumanization group communicated more anger and disgust.—
Nicholas DiMarzio,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
There is a strong sense of hatred toward Netanyahu, whose calls for the Iranian public to take this opportunity to rise up and overthrow their leaders are seemingly falling flat.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
19 June 2025
-
Miller is a man who is richly endowed with the capacity for hatred.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Our national broadcaster should not be transmitting hateful material designed to incite violence and conflict.—
Fatima Al-Kassab,
NPR,
30 June 2025
-
Instead, the program selectively promoted one viewpoint while silencing others, effectively teaching children that religious beliefs about sexuality and gender are outdated or even hateful.—
Jeffrey S. Trimbath,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
Malkmus’s distaste for his Pavement colleagues is well-established by now and hinted at in Pavements, though Perry is careful not to spoil everyone’s fun.—
Armin Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2025
-
Honda’s supply contract with IndyCar ends next year and the company hasn’t hid its distaste over the cheating scandals that have recently tarnished the series.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
That’s fine by an administration that seems basically contemptuous of the very concept of due process.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
-
Think of the public dissection of and collective sneer toward pop darlings suffering mental health crises, like Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan, or the contemptuous treatment of Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential run.—
Maya Salam,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The advisee may present herself as a supplicant but end up an aggressor, demanding and scornful.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
-
Major studios have grown gun-shy about funding anything remotely risky; even a risk well taken can prompt a knee-jerk, scornful reaction from not only the executives but also the press: The film could, even should, have done better.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loathing. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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