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

While in Spain, Fawkes met Thomas Wintour and Robert Catesby, the leaders of a small group of men who detested England’s new king, James I, for his discrimination toward Catholics. —Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025

The word has also become a derogatory label used by those who detest diverse and inclusive media. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025

But Brando detested Kazan’s caving to the opportunistic senator Joseph McCarthy and his cronies, whose political grandstanding hampered or crushed the careers of many writers, musicians, and performers, including Brando’s own actress sister, Jocelyn. —airmail.news, 23 Nov. 2024

This was the precise type of loss Malone detests most. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 26 Nov. 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