dislike

[dis-lahyk]

verb (used with object)

disliked, disliking 

1. to regard with displeasure, antipathy, or aversion.

   I dislike working. I dislike oysters.

noun

1. a feeling of aversion; antipathy.

   a strong dislike for Bach.

   Synonyms: disrelish

dislike

/ dɪsˈlaɪk /

verb

1. (tr) to consider unpleasant or disagreeable

noun

1. a feeling of aversion or antipathy

Other Word Forms

• dislikable adjective
• dislikeable adjective
• predislike noun
• self-dislike noun
• self-disliked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dislike¹

First recorded in 1545–55; dis- ¹ + like ²

Synonym Study

Dislike, disgust, distaste, repugnance imply antipathy toward something. Dislike is a general word, sometimes connoting an inherent or permanent feeling of antipathy for something: to have a dislike for crowds. Disgust connotes a feeling of loathing for what is offensive to the feelings and sensibilities: He felt disgust at seeing such ostentation. Distaste implies a more or less settled dislike: to have distaste for spicy foods, for hard work. Repugnance is a strong feeling of aversion for, and antagonism toward, something: to feel repugnance for (or toward ) low criminals.

Example Sentences

He was long overdue for a rise in rank, but for all his size and bluster, the captain disliked nosing about for promotions and salary increases.

Read more on Literature

She disliked the children with a passion and was often harsh with their governess.

Read more on Literature

“Hide? Ah-choo! Very well, then—if you three will not, then I shall hide! After all, Fredrick’s mother cannot dislike me if she has not met me.”

Read more on Literature

I felt uncomfortable and disliked the entire process.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But doing research for a book on Joshua trees, I discovered something unexpected: White Americans who first encountered these trees didn’t just dislike them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• animosity 
• animus 
• antagonism 
• antipathy 
• aversion 
• disapproval 
• disgust 
• displeasure 
• dissatisfaction 
• distaste 
• enmity 
• hatred 
• hostility 
• loathing 
• prejudice