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
Relevance
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 hateful
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in hating
to dislike strongly
I simply loathe tapioca pudding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of loathing
Kristen Geil, Outside, 24 Feb. 2026
The former heavyweight champion’s ad focuses on his appearance and self-loathing as much as the possible health risks obesity can lead to.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2026
George Packer, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loathing
Noun
Gone are the days of a brawny construction worker or brainy engineer stepping up to build a sturdy shelter, winning the admiration (or the loathing) of their new tribemates.
—Kristen Geil, Outside, 24 Feb. 2026
The former heavyweight champion’s ad focuses on his appearance and self-loathing as much as the possible health risks obesity can lead to.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
The American experiment in egalitarian, multiethnic democracy fills these intellectuals with anxiety, if not loathing.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loathing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loathing
Noun
-
Everyone from Summer House cast members Lindsay Hubbard and KJ Dillard, to indie songstress Remi Wolf, to actor and Bravo stan Jon Hamm have expressed their shock and disgust.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In the days and weeks following the Hamas massacre of innocent Israelis on October 7, 2023, students and colleagues alike in his academic community posted fiery condemnations of and expressions of moral disgust toward … Israel.—
Jesse Brown,
The Atlantic,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Gracie’s discovery is squelched and this character’s value to the play comes in establishing how institutional silence can have an equally pernicious impact on confronting social hatreds.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There is nothing quite like the theater and hatred that comes when the Penguins and Flyers share a sheet of ice.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When this fails to happen—and her hopes of marrying off a perfect daughter are dashed—Barbara grows hateful and ultimately delusional.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
-
For generations, students have learned about complex historical figures who, despite their positive contributions to society, were inarguably problematic, hateful or bigoted while alive.—
Kristy Hutchings,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Can’t Arabs celebrate their heritage without being accused of hating Jews?—
Laura Einhorn,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
People can relate to hating gym class, disagreements with siblings or a first breakup.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In an expletive-laden email to Bloomberg, Lee expressed his distaste for the media, as well as ARR as a metric for startup growth.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was among those expressing distaste for the headliner selection.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sara Hershkowitz’s wildly contemptuous Queen adds further soprano glory.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
-
And Alexander Hamilton gets slightly better press than the other two, but he is shown as someone who is brilliant, but self-seeking, arrogant, snobbish, contemptuous of others, and profoundly two-faced.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
All the scornful gazes of my schoolmates when Doc started to pick me up from campus had been worth it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Mar. 2026
-
During the decade since Hitler took power, women married to Jewish men defied scornful social, economic and political pressure, day after day.—
Danielle Wirsansky,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Loathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loathing. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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