Loathe: meaning, definitions and examples

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loathe

[loʊð ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

strongly dislike

To feel intense or extreme disgust or hatred towards someone or something. It is a strong negative emotion that goes beyond simple dislike.

Synonyms

abhor, despise, detest, hate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
loathe	Used to express intense, deep-seated aversion or repugnance towards someone or something. Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. She loathes the smell of cigarette smoke. He loathes having to wake up early on weekends.
hate	A very versatile word that fits in both casual and serious contexts to express strong dislike or aversion. Can be used in everyday conversations as well as more formal situations. Has a broadly negative tone. I hate doing laundry. She hates the way he talks to her.
abhor	Used mainly in formal contexts to express a strong feeling of disgust or hatred, often towards something morally wrong or unethical. Many people abhor animal cruelty. She abhors violence in any form.
detest	Works well in both formal and informal settings to express strong dislike or hatred, often with an emotional tone. She detests going to the dentist. He detests broccoli more than any other vegetable.
despise	Used to indicate great disdain or contempt for someone or something, often implying a sense of superiority. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts. He despises liars. She despises people who are always late.

Examples of usage

I loathe having to wake up early in the morning.
She loathes the idea of working with him again.
He loathes the taste of olives.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'loathe' comes from the Old English 'loathian', meaning to hate or feel unwilling.
In Middle English, the spelling transitioned slowly, evolving into its current form by the 15th century.
Related words like 'loath' (unwilling) come from the same root and show how closely linked these feelings of dislike and unwillingness are.

Psychology

The feeling of loathing can stem from personal experiences, such as a traumatic event associated with the object of dislike.
Social learning plays a role; we often learn to loathe certain things based on cultural influences and the sentiments of those around us.
Loathing can be a defense mechanism, helping individuals protect themselves from perceived threats or negativity.

Literature

In classic literature, characters often express loathing to highlight their moral or ideological conflicts, emphasizing differences between good and evil.
Authors use the emotion of loathing to deepen character development, showing how strong dislike influences decisions and actions.
Famous literary works, like those from Shakespeare, often feature characters who loathe their circumstances or others, revealing deeper themes of conflict.

Pop Culture

In modern films and television, protagonists often loathe their adversaries, which drives the plot and sparks conflict.
Songs frequently evoke feelings of loathing, using it as a powerful theme to express emotions related to love and betrayal.
Memes often capture the sentiment of loathing comically, portraying relatable scenarios of dislike towards trends, food, or situations.

Science

Studies suggest that loathing can activate specific regions in the brain, simulating physical disgust, similar to the reaction to bad smells.
The evolutionary perspective suggests that loathing helps protect from harmful substances, reinforcing an instinct to avoid danger.
Research shows that loathing can even be contagious; witnessing someone else's disgust can trigger similar feelings in others.

Translations

Translations of the word "loathe" in other languages:

🇵🇹 odiar

🇮🇳 घृणा करना

🇩🇪 verabscheuen

🇮🇩 membenci

🇺🇦 ненавидіти

🇵🇱 nienawidzić

🇯🇵 嫌う (kirau)

🇫🇷 détester

🇪🇸 odiar

🇹🇷 nefret etmek

🇰🇷 혐오하다 (hyeomohada)

🇸🇦 يكره (yakrah)

🇨🇿 nenávidět

🇸🇰 nenávidieť

🇨🇳 厌恶 (yànwù)

🇸🇮 sovražiti

🇮🇸 hata

🇰🇿 жек көру

🇬🇪 სძულს (sdzuls)

🇦🇿 nifrət etmək

🇲🇽 odiar

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,366, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
23363 lameness
23364 minuteness
23365 tourmaline
23366 loathe
23367 maddening
23368 nary
23369 admonish
...