English Dictionary

Definition of “detest

detest (dɪˈtɛstPronunciation for detest

Definitions

verb

  1. (tr) to dislike intensely; loathe

Alternative Forms

deˈtester noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin dētestārī  to curse (while invoking a god as witness), from de- + testārī  to bear witness, from testis a witness

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= hate, loathe, despise, abhor, be hostile to recoil from be repelled by have an aversion to abominate, dislike intensely execrate, feel aversion towards feel disgust towards feel hostility towards feel repugnance towards

Usage examples

  • Matthew Hopkins, you have allowed yourself to be drawn in by the very Devil you detest !
    Barbara Erskine, HIDING FROM THE LIGHT (2002)
  • A football fan should detest his local rivals with a passion.
    Spiked (2003)
  • (I know a lot of Caucasians who detest tofu... Maybe this venerable bean curd staple is the Chinese equivalent of haggis?
    canada.com (2004)
  • King and Queen would live in harmonious hatred; the heir apparent detest them both.
    Times, Sunday Times (2002)
  • She has Chinese eyes, & a perpetual smile or simper which I detest.
    Christopher Hibbert, DISRAELI: A Personal History (2004)

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