loathe

[lohth]

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verb (used with object), loathed, loath·ing.

to feel disgust or intense aversion for; abhor: I loathe people who spread malicious gossip.

Origin of loathe

before 900; Middle English loth(i)en, lath(i)en, Old English lāthian, derivative of lāth loath

Related formsloath·er, nounun·loathed, adjective

Can be confusedloath loathe loathsome

Synonyms for loathe

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR loathe ON THESAURUS.COM

detest, abominate, hate.

Antonyms for loathe

like.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for loathe

despise, detest, hate, abhor, abominate, refuse, spurn, decline, repudiate, revolt, reject, execrate

Examples from the Web for loathe

Contemporary Examples of loathe

Republicans loathe public sector unions—unless they represent cops or firefighters.
The GOP and Police Unions: A Love Story
Eleanor Clift
December 12, 2014
I may loathe what Richard Spencer has to say, but I will defend, unequivocally, his right to say it.
American Racist Richard Spencer Gets to Play the Martyr in Hungary
James Kirchick
October 7, 2014
Consider Spirit Airlines, the dirt-cheap carrier everyone loves to loathe.
Solution to Seat Rage: No More Reclining
Will Doig
September 4, 2014
I switched on the June 16 USA vs. Ghana World Cup match looking for things to loathe.
Up To a Point: Oops, I Enjoyed Soccer
P. J. O’Rourke
July 13, 2014
She also has the potential to raise money nationally from the netroots and others on the left who loathe Emanuel.
Could Rahm Lose to This Infamous Union Leader?
Kathleen Geier
July 3, 2014

Historical Examples of loathe

And because, when you know what I am, you will hate and loathe me.
The Monster Men
Edgar Rice Burroughs
It rather sickens me, and makes me loathe the sight of a seal.
The Field of Ice
Jules Verne
"I loathe you," he cried, with his lips pressed against her cheek.
Changing Winds
St. John G. Ervine
Oh, in six months I've got simply to loathe the smell of a café.
People of Position
Stanley Portal Hyatt
They––the world––shall know you; shall loathe you as I loathe you.
The Hound From The North
Ridgwell Cullum

British Dictionary definitions for loathe

loathe

verb

(tr) to feel strong hatred or disgust for

Derived Formsloather, noun

Word Origin for loathe

Old English lāthiān, from loath

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for loathe

Old English laðian "to hate, to be disgusted with," from lað "hostile" (see loath). Cognate with Old Saxon lethon, Old Norse leiða. Related: Loathed; loathing.