dislike

1 of 2

noun

dis·​like (ˌ)dis-ˈlīk 

ˈdis-ˌlīk

plural dislikes

1

: a feeling of aversion or disapproval

2

obsolete : discord

3

: something that a person habitually does not like or enjoy

talking about his likes and dislikes

dislike

2 of 2

verb

disliked; disliking; dislikes

transitive verb

1

: to regard with dislike : disapprove

2

archaic : displease

3

obsolete : to show aversion to

disliker noun

Synonyms

Noun

• allergy
• averseness
• aversion
• disfavor
• disinclination
• disliking
• disrelish
• down [chiefly British]
• mislike

Verb

• disfavor
• disrelish
• mislike

Examples of dislike in a Sentence

Noun

we have a strong dislike for olives and wouldn't eat them even if we were paid

the public's general dislike of negative campaign ads

Verb

I dislike basketball, but I enjoy baseball.

Most people dislike it when they are told what to do.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Isabel almost immediately develops an intense dislike for Eva, a disorderly presence who disrupts the strictly regimented life Isabel has built for herself. —Chloe Schama, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024

After openly expressing his dislike of USC’s previous defensive staff, Gentry was a big fan of Entz. —Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

The character is sympathetic — Firth is hard to dislike — but with an edge of peskiness. —Calum Marsh, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025

Those who dislike her are jealous, those who disagree with her are evil, and those who try to stop her are vanquished—righteously. —Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dislike

1 of 2 noun

dis·​like (ˈ)dis-ˈlīk 

: a strong feeling of not liking or approving

dislike

2 of 2 verb

: to feel dislike for