detest

verb

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

Synonyms of detest

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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.
Nando Sigona, a professor at the University of Birmingham, said that Meloni detested a move Sánchez presided over in July to grant legal status to about 1 million longtime residents, and is eager to portray his approach as a failure. — Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 They’re formulated to smell like things rabbits detest, like blood or putrefied eggs. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026 Having fought off several rounds of nationwide protests since 2017, the Iranian regime knows full well that many of its citizens detest it. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 Everyone can find something in the Iran treaty proposal to detest. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 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

Rhymes for detest

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Browse Nearby Words

detersive
detest
detestable
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Cite this Entry

“Detest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detest. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

detest

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

More from Merriam-Webster on detest

Nglish: Translation of detest for Spanish Speakers

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