detest

verb

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

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
detester noun
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
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.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump — who plainly detest each other — wouldn’t deign to shake hands. Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024 The narrator detests Gregory’s music tastes, his artistic opinions, and, after sufficient exposure, his charm. Daniel Felsenthal, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024 Contrary to the once-prevailing wisdom that people detest friction in their digital experiences, recent data shows that 8 in 10 consumers now welcome additional security measures to safeguard their digital assets. Christophe Van De Weyer, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Chechnya could easily blow up if Kadyrov is replaced in a local palace coup or assassinated by the Russian secret service, which reputedly detests him. Alexander J. Motyl, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2016 See all Example Sentences for detest 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of detest was circa 1535

Dictionary Entries Near detest

Cite this Entry

“Detest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detest. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

detest

verb
de·​test di-ˈtest How to pronounce detest (audio)
: to dislike very strongly

More from Merriam-Webster on detest

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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