detest

[dih-test] / dɪˈtɛst /

VERB

hate; feel disgust toward

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abhor despise loathe

STRONG

abominate execrate reject repudiate

WEAK

be allergic to dislike intensely down on feel aversion toward feel hostility toward feel repugnance toward have no use for recoil from

Antonyms

STRONGEST

admire cherish like love

STRONG

approve

WEAK

adore prize respect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Not only does the Korean magnate understandably detest that style, she has no love for Lindsay either.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026

The difficulty, of course, is that most Canadians detest Mr. Trump.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

She wants revenge without dwelling on its cause or her trauma — a word Hester would surely detest.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2025

So can a bridge be built between those who detest the love locks, and those who want them to stay in Bakewell?

From BBC • Aug. 4, 2024

“So we are to countenance things and people which we detest, merely because we are not belles and millionaires, are we? That’s a nice sort of morality.”

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Vocabulary lists containing detest

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