loathe

American  

[lohth] / loʊð /

verb (used with object)

loathed, loathing

1. to feel disgust or intense aversion for; abhor.

   I loathe people who spread malicious gossip.

   Synonyms:

   hate, abominate, detest

   Antonyms:

   like

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loathe British  

/ ləʊð /

verb

1. (tr) to feel strong hatred or disgust for

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Usage

What’s the difference between loathe and loath? Loathe is a verb that means to hate or feel extreme disgust toward, as in I loathe the way he treats his dog or My kids loathe broccoli. Loath is an adjective that means unwilling, reluctant, or disinclined, as in They are loath to get involved in such a messy situation. Loathe always rhymes with the verb clothe. Loath can be pronounced this way, but it can also rhyme with both.Loath is only ever used as an adjective, and loathe is only ever used as a verb. Both words are generally negative, but loathe is much more negative. Loathe is also the more common of the two words.The word loathsome is an adjective form of the verb loathe that means causing feelings of loathing—disgusting or revolting. You would describe someone you loathe as loathsome.Loath is usually followed by the word to and a verb, as in I’m loath to drive that far.To remember that the verb loathe ends with an e, remember that it means the same thing as hate, which also ends with an e.Here’s an example of loath and loathe used correctly in a sentence.Example: I’m loath to think about how much he must loathe me.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between loathe and loath.

Other Word Forms

• loather noun
• unloathed adjective

Etymology

Origin of loathe

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

Example Sentences

In light of the four realms’ unhelpfulness, he was left with an ushering technique he loathed to use.

From Literature

“Last summer there was lots of kind of fear and loathing about AI,” Lichtenberg said, “and I feel like there’s been a vibe shift.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Like him or loathe him, the man is obviously tough.

From The Wall Street Journal

It also helps that Edmond’s tormenters are so easy to loathe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Michael Jackson is a prime example of this conundrumFor his millions of devotees their love for him is rivalled in intensity only by their seething loathing for his critics.

From BBC

Related Words

• abhor
• despise
• detest
• hate