LOATHE Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

loathe

verb

ˈlōt͟h

Definition of loathe next

as in to hate

to dislike strongly I simply loathe tapioca pudding

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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

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 loathe Other cast members include John’s sister, Jennifer, and her boyfriend, Greg; Shawna’s park friend Ty and his wife, Julie; Shawna’s mother, Mama D; and the mother-in-law her commenters love to loathe, Barb. —

Sara Belcher, People.com, 9 May 2025 Ellie’s path is harder, filled with people who love her and want to stop her, love her and want to help her, loathe her and want to help, or who have no opinion on the whole Seattle thing. —

Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 1 May 2025 Love it or loathe it, with nearly 2 billion users, Google’s Gmail platform cannot be ignored. —

Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 But love him or loathe him, Trump is not the only problem. —

Antoine Rostand, Time, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loathe

Recent Examples of Synonyms for loathe

hate

Verb

The house was built for folks who, well, clearly hate other folks intruding on their space.

— TJ Macias, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025
Diddy, like him or hate him, had a very successful music career.

— Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025

Definition of hate

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loath

loathe

loathed

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“Loathe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loathe. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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Last Updated: 2 Jun 2025 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of loathe

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