Loathed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿคฎ
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loathed

[loสŠรฐd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

intense dislike

Loathed means to feel intense aversion or dislike for someone or something. It suggests a strong emotional response that can arise from personal experiences, beliefs, or feelings of injustice. Often associated with feelings of disgust or hatred, loathing goes beyond mere annoyance and indicates a significant emotional burden. This term is commonly used when expressing feelings towards people, actions, and sometimes ideas that one finds intolerable.

Synonyms

abhorred, despised, detested, hated.

Examples of usage

  • She loathed the idea of working late.
  • He loathed the way she treated others.
  • They loathed the smell of the trash.
  • Many loathed the new policy at work.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Feeling loathed towards something can be linked to negative past experiences or cultural influences.
  • Research shows that personal dislikes often stem from learned behaviors or social conditioning.
  • Overcoming loathing can involve challenging oneโ€™s perceptions and experiences with the disliked subject.

Literature

  • In classic literature, characters often express loathing as a way to showcase internal conflicts.
  • Notable novels, such as George Orwell's '1984', include themes of loathing to illustrate societal control.
  • Poets frequently use the experience of loathing to convey deep emotional struggles.

Cultural References

  • In contemporary culture, loathing is often addressed in pop songs, where artists express feelings of betrayal or anger.
  • Television shows use characters that loathe certain situations to create humor or tension.
  • In online forums, individuals discuss their loathed topics, creating communities around shared dislikes.

Etiquette

  • Expressing loathing openly can be seen as impolite in many cultures; it's often wiser to keep such feelings private.
  • Navigating situations with things one loathes involves maintaining a respectful demeanor, especially in social settings.
  • Awareness of oneโ€™s dislikes can help in personal growth and understanding one's values and boundaries.

Origin of 'loathed'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'lรฆรฐan,' which means to hate or feel disgust.
  • The pronunciation has changed over centuries, but its meaning of strong dislike has remained.
  • Derived forms include 'loathe' (the verb form), emphasizing the action of disliking.

The word 'loathe' originates from the Old English term 'lathian', which meant to feel disgust or to hate. This is linked to the Proto-Germanic '*lathลnฤ…', meaning to loathe or hate, and the related terms in Old Norse 'lathr', meaning hated, and in German 'lรคstern', which means to speak ill of. Its evolution through history reflects the intense emotional weight it carries, transitioning from a general sense of repulsion to a more specific association with individual feelings of hatred. The use of 'loathe' in modern English can be traced back to the early 20th century, cementing its place in the vocabulary of strong negative emotions.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,734, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.