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

Vonnegut contends that, while America is the wealthiest country, many of its citizens live in poverty and are taught to detest themselves for it. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

With a price tag of about $600, Denarius is Liber Pater’s less-expensive label, commonly called a second wine, though Pasquet detests the term. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2024

And, to extend the analogy further, the popular idea that Melania, like Shelly, detests her unfaithful and boorish husband misses the more straightforward reading that both couples are still married and likely share each other’s points of view. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 2 July 2024

Also: The aliens absolutely detest the sight of the numbers 3, 8 and 9, which appear similar to offensive symbols in their language. —Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 12 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