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

It is also largely detested across the territory, especially in the refugee camps, where it is seen as a tool of Israeli authorities. —Julia Frankel, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025

Starmer’s Labour Party detests MAGA at a cellular level. —Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025

Read: How Bronze Age Pervert charmed the far right Bannon and Musk have been at odds since Trump’s victory: Bannon detests the influence that tech billionaires have on this administration. —Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2025

Long loyal to Democrats, these voters often oppose Republican domestic policy and detest Mr. Trump and his elevation of far-right figures with a history of antisemitic remarks. —Katie Glueck, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for detest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Kids Definition

detest

verb

de·​test di-ˈtest 

: to dislike very strongly