detest

verb

de·​test di-ˈtest 

dē-

detested; detesting; detests

transitive verb

1

: to feel intense and often violent antipathy toward : loathe

detests politics

They seem to truly detest each other.

2

obsolete : curse, denounce

detester noun

Synonyms

• abhor
• abominate
• despise
• execrate
• hate
• loathe

Choose the Right Synonym for detest

hate, detest, abhor, abominate, loathe 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

detest suggests violent antipathy.

detests cowards

abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance.

a crime abhorred by all

abominate suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation.

abominates all forms of violence

loathe implies utter disgust and intolerance.

loathed the mere sight of them

Examples of detest in a Sentence

I detest pepperoni, and wouldn't eat it if you paid me!

Recent Examples on the Web

Why do execs detest flexible work? Hybrid work can be a successful boost to productivity if managed well, said Bock, pointing to early studies, work from companies like Atlassian that host community events, and the success of employers implementing focal days. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2024

There is also a certain kind of apprehension among the religious minorities, and the Awami League is still a major political force even though they are much detested and much hated. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2024

Individuals and public officials may detest and condemn such speech, and platforms may choose not to carry it, but to insert the ... —Jennifer Huddleston, National Review, 11 Aug. 2024

Despite decades of advocacy, vegans and veganism remain deeply unpopular, even detested. —Jishnu Guha-Majumdar, Vox, 8 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French detester or Latin detestari; Middle French detester, from Latin detestari, literally, to curse while calling a deity to witness, from de- + testari to call to witness — more at testament

First Known Use

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

detest

verb

de·​test di-ˈtest 

: to dislike very strongly