Synonyms of loathe

loathe

verb

ˈlōt͟h 

as in to hate

to dislike strongly

I simply loathe tapioca pudding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hate
• despise
• detest
• abhor
• abominate
• disdain
• have it in for
• disapprove (of)
• execrate
• deplore
• scorn
• deprecate
• discountenance
• disfavor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• love
• like
• prefer
• desire
• enjoy
• favor
• fancy
• relish
• admire
• adore
• approve (of)
• worship
• revere
• cherish
• treasure
• esteem
• prize
• idolize
• venerate
• hallow

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb loathe contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of loathe are abhor, abominate, detest, and hate. While all these words mean "to feel strong aversion or intense dislike for," loathe implies utter disgust and intolerance.

loathed the mere sight of them

Where would abhor be a reasonable alternative to loathe?

While in some cases nearly identical to loathe, abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance.

a crime abhorred by all

In what contexts can abominate take the place of loathe?

In some situations, the words abominate and loathe are roughly equivalent. However, abominate suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation.

abominates all forms of violence

When is it sensible to use detest instead of loathe?

The words detest and loathe can be used in similar contexts, but detest suggests violent antipathy.

detests cowards

When is hate a more appropriate choice than loathe?

The meanings of hate and loathe largely overlap; however, hate implies an emotional aversion often coupled with enmity or malice.

hated the enemy with a passion

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of loathe

Since the launch of the ID product family in 2019, VW has shifted more than 1.35 million ID EVs worldwide, many with the woeful haptic buttons customers have loathed, but which mercifully have now been binned. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2025

Prue specifically chose the only one my daughter loathes. —Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025

Even the utterance can elicit groans of those who once loathed the feel of skin-tight denim all the way to the ankles. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025

Like them or loathe them, Red Bull’s teams have room to grow competitively, and Klopp can use his strategy and spirit to set that disruptive bull in motion. —Henry Flynn, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025