detest

/dɪˈtɛst/

strong dislike or hatred

She detests loud noises and always wears earplugs.

She strongly dislikes loud noises and wears earplugs to avoid them.

formalinformal

to feel intense dislike or hatred for someone or something

He detests dishonesty and always tells the truth.

He strongly dislikes dishonesty and always chooses to be truthful.

Many people detest the taste of bitter vegetables like Brussels sprouts.

Many people strongly dislike the taste of bitter vegetables like Brussels sprouts.

Often used to express a strong, negative emotional reaction.

Collocations

detest the idea ofstrongly dislike the concept ofdetest someone's behaviorstrongly dislike someone's actions

strongly dislike even the idea of something

Use 'detest' when you want to emphasize a strong, negative feeling. It is stronger than 'dislike' but less extreme than 'hate'.

'Detest' conveys a very strong negative emotion. Use it when the dislike is significant and long-lasting.

From Latin 'detestari', meaning 'to curse, to call as a witness against oneself'.

Often used in formal and informal contexts to express strong dislike. Can be used with people, things, or abstract concepts.

de-

intensify

prefix

-test

to witness or testify

root

English Dictionary