HATE Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: When can 'detest' be used instead of 'hate'?

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

Q: 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

hate 1 of 2

verb

Definition of hate next

as in to despise

to dislike strongly she hates her job, she hates her friends, and she hates her life!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hate

2 of 2

noun

ˈhāt

as in hatred

a very strong dislike hate can sometimes be replaced with tolerance when people meet face to face

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in enemy

something or someone that is hated the Alaska pipeline is a pet hate of environmentalists

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

Amy's every interaction is loaded with dramatic irony, but the audience isn't in a good spot knowing that her teenage daughter actually hates her or that the new chief of internal medicine is a quack who killed a patient. —

Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025 As of January 7, 2025, Meta is a platform less likely to intervene in instances of lies, hate, or harassment in a climate where instances of hate speech lead to real-life harm for marginalized groups. —

Raven Smith, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2025

Noun

How To Keep Kids Safe When Gaming Online ADL leaders are calling on the gaming industry and the government to do more to address the proliferation of hate and harassment in online game settings. —

Mia Taylor, Parents, 16 Jan. 2025 Since those terminations, the department has implemented a more robust policy banning deputies from being in hate groups or law enforcement gangs. —

Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for hate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hate

Verb

On a sunny but frigid day, a 21-gun salute rang out to honor a no-frills man who famously despised rituals and felt most comfortable living a normal life.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
And today’s high 10-year yield means bonds are despised right now.

— Brett Owens, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025