hate 1 of 2

hate

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb hate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hate are abhor, abominate, detest, and loathe. While all these words 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

When would abhor be a good substitute for hate?

The meanings of abhor and hate largely overlap; however, abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance.

a crime abhorred by all

When might abominate be a better fit than hate?

The synonyms abominate and hate are sometimes interchangeable, but abominate suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation.

abominates all forms of violence

When can detest be used instead of hate?

While in some cases nearly identical to hate, detest suggests violent antipathy.

detests cowards

When is it sensible to use loathe instead of hate?

While the synonyms loathe and hate are close in meaning, loathe implies utter disgust and intolerance.

loathed the mere sight of them

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hate
Verb
Billie Eilish used to hate her name But now, the Oscar and Grammy Award-winning singer has had a change of perspective. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025 One of the categories will involve the show’s polarizing twists that some viewers love and other viewers hate to see included. Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
Police have a long history of selective enforcement, even using these laws to target hate groups’ counter-protesters. N. Goldberg, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2025 Although Phillies fans might not love it — particularly with Philadelphia hosting Los Angeles this weekend — star Bryce Harper isn't buying the hate. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hate
Verb
  • Why are all these cases involving the coddling of savages who despise America seem to end up in front of card-carrying fellow travelers like Boasberg and Sorokin?
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Hamilton despised slavery and fought to end it — at least, that’s what most history books say.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In fact, her personal hatred of gripping challenges even served as her Survivor hot take below.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That ecstatic communal experience is a glorious moment of freedom for oppressed people, most of them living hand-to-mouth in an environment of hatred and exploitation.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • And what assurance shall there be that the Executive will not train its broad discretionary powers upon its political enemies?
    TIME Staff, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Some were emblazoned with images of Maximilian I of Bavaria and Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III. Further, archaeologists discovered fragments of lead bullets and deposits of metal wheels — which were likely safeguarded to prevent them from falling into enemy hands after the army left camp.
    Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The reactions from right-of-center publications divide into roughly four camps, aligning on a spectrum ranging from vocal approval to outright abhorrence.
    Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
  • Tolin doesn’t candy coat the animosity, helping children to understand how artists and Others continue to be misunderstood and how that lack of appreciation fuels abhorrence.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • According to research, the fear of flying is one of the most prevalent phobias in the world.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The research could help scientists better understand how to help people with anxiety, phobias, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Netanyahu, in short, is not as popular as his antipathies.
    Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Notably the administration has been silent on its intentions towards China, which strikes me as odd given that many members of the administration are united in their antipathy towards America’s geostrategic rivalry (Marco Rubio for example published ‘The World China Made’).
    Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Between the lines: Many undecideds are painfully trying to balance their sense of obligation with their detestation for Trump, as USA Today first detailed on Thursday.
    Erin Doherty, Axios, 14 Dec. 2024
  • One of the most memorable chapters epitomizes her detestation for the ultra-wealthy and pompous intellectuals who rushed to rationalize her work.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024
Noun
  • In keeping with their distaste for regulations, Republicans and the broader conservative legal movement have long treated independent agencies as an abomination—and last month Trump sought to rein them in with an executive order that purported to bring them further under his direct control.
    Cristian Farias, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Yes, the end results are abominations, but there’s at least a lot less to get worked up about.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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