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detest

verb
de·​test | \ di-ˈtest How to pronounce detest (audio) , dē-\
detested; detesting; detests

Definition of detest

transitive verb

1 : to feel intense and often violent antipathy toward : loathe detests politics They seem to truly detest each other.
2 obsolete : curse, denounce
Other Words from detest Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about detest

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Other Words from detest

detester noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for detest

Synonyms

abhor, abominate, despise, execrate, hate, loathe

Antonyms

love

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Choose the Right Synonym for detest

hate, detest, abhor, abominate, loathe 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 detest suggests violent antipathy. detests cowards abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance. a crime abhorred by all abominate suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation. abominates all forms of violence loathe implies utter disgust and intolerance. loathed the mere sight of them

Examples of detest in a Sentence

I detest pepperoni, and wouldn't eat it if you paid me!

Recent Examples on the Web

 Becker detests the raise and each month gives money to mostly conservative causes. — Laura Hancock, cleveland.com, "Massive ad buy underway to thwart HB 6 referendum: Capitol Letter," 27 Aug. 2019 Wealthy Hondurans who detested him read signals from Washington. — Stephen Kinzer, BostonGlobe.com, "Who’s responsible for the border crisis? The United States," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of detest

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for detest

Middle French detester or Latin detestari; Middle French detester, from Latin detestari, literally, to curse while calling a deity to witness, from de- + testari to call to witness — more at testament

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More Definitions for detest

detest

verb
How to pronounce detest (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of detest

formal : to dislike (someone or something) very strongly

See the full definition for detest in the English Language Learners Dictionary

detest

verb
de·​test | \ di-ˈtest How to pronounce detest (audio) \
detested; detesting

Kids Definition of detest

: to dislike very much

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More from Merriam-Webster on detest

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with detest

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for detest

Spanish Central: Translation of detest

Nglish: Translation of detest for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of detest for Arabic Speakers

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