detestable

adjective

de·​test·​able di-ˈte-stə-bəl 

dē-

: arousing or meriting intense dislike : abominable

detestableness noun

detestably

di-ˈte-stə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• base
• contemptible
• currish
• despicable
• dirty
• dishonorable
• execrable
• ignoble
• ignominious
• low
• low-down
• low-minded
• mean
• nasty
• paltry
• snide
• sordid
• vile
• wretched

Examples of detestable in a Sentence

He is a detestable villain.

the detestable actions of a nasty little man

Recent Examples on the Web

Can’t wait for the Stanley Cup window to close on Team Tank, easily the most detestable team in the League. —Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 15 Mar. 2025

The right invented the term Trump Derangement Syndrome to dismiss analysis of Trump’s autocratic tendencies, compulsive lying and generally detestable character as liberal hysteria. —Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2025

Overall, the film has gotten a mixed reception, and Strong’s character is pretty detestable. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025

Social media soon was flooded with posts from people who found the character detestable, and the actor had no problem with that. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for detestable

• testable
• contestable
• digestible
• suggestible
• incontestable
• indigestible

Kids Definition

detestable

adjective

de·​test·​able di-ˈtes-tə-bəl 

: arousing or deserving strong dislike : abominable