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Many usage commentators point out that the spelling of loath, the adjective, is distinct from loathe, the verb that means "to dislike greatly." Merriam-Webster dictionaries do record loathe (along with loth) as a variant spelling for the adjective, but at the same time indicate that the loath spelling is the most common one. The adjective and the verb both hark back to Old English, and the "e" ending in each has come and gone over the centuries—but if you want to avoid the ire of those who like to keep the language tidy, stick with loath for the adjective and loathe for the verb.
Examples of loath in a Sentence
Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Most of the film plays out in something close to real time, and the directors, loath to hurry scenes along, slow the action down with a technical virtuosity that sometimes tilts into self-admiration.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025
The Trial Guy, though loath to seem rude, noted some fresh aches: hip flexors, ribs, mat burn on the tops of his toes.
—Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Molly is generally loath to tell people about her diagnosis, wary of being seen by others as just the woman who has cancer.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for loath
Cite this Entry
“Loath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loath. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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