loathsome

[lohth-suhm, lohth-]

See more synonyms for loathsome on Thesaurus.com

adjective

causing feelings of loathing; disgusting; revolting; repulsive: a loathsome skin disease.

Origin of loathsome

First recorded in 1250–1300, loathsome is from the Middle English word lothsom. See loath, -some¹

Related formsloath·some·ly, adverbloath·some·ness, nounun·loath·some, adjective

Can be confusedloath loathe loathsome

Synonyms

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offensive, repellent, detestable, abhorrent, abominable.

Antonyms

attractive.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for loathsome

Contemporary Examples

After 90 minutes of cocktail time, I am at my loathsome best.
Up To a Point: Oops, I Enjoyed Soccer
P. J. O’Rourke
July 13, 2014
It is a festival of joy for being created this way after centuries of being told that we are sinful, loathsome, and disgusting.
June, The Month When Pride Isn’t a Sin
Gene Robinson
June 22, 2014
I am sure that this happens, as loathsome as I know it to be.
When Doctors Ignore ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ Orders
Russell Saunders
June 3, 2014
Give them an anti-hero so loathsome it would be immoral to root for them, and then dare them to do just that.
‘Boy Parts’ Proves ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ Is the Boldest Drama on TV
Kevin Fallon
October 17, 2013
And they've banned men from various commonplace but loathsome and corrupting practices.
Hamas: The Palestinian Fashion Police
Hussein Ibish
April 9, 2013

Historical Examples

He shook and trembled with fear as he peeped at the loathsome creature.
Opera Stories from Wagner
Florence Akin
The women are of all types, from the most loathsome to the most lovable.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
He knows that the scent of blood is in the air, and that the bloodhounds are at their loathsome work.
Henry Dunbar
M. E. Braddon
She will let me take her away from the companionship that must be loathsome to her, in spite of her devotion.
Henry Dunbar
M. E. Braddon
The boy's right arm was a loathsome sight, festering from a neglected wound.
The Harbor
Ernest Poole

British Dictionary definitions for loathsome

loathsome

adjective

causing loathing; abhorrent

Derived Formsloathsomely, adverbloathsomeness, noun

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 loathsome

adj.

c.1300, "foul, detestable," from loath in its older, stronger sense + -some (1). Related: Loathsomely; loathsomeness.

loathsome

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}loathsome

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for loathsome

Contemporary Examples

After 90 minutes of cocktail time, I am at my loathsome best.

It is a festival of joy for being created this way after centuries of being told that we are sinful, loathsome, and disgusting.

I am sure that this happens, as loathsome as I know it to be.

Give them an anti-hero so loathsome it would be immoral to root for them, and then dare them to do just that.

And they've banned men from various commonplace but loathsome and corrupting practices.

Historical Examples

He shook and trembled with fear as he peeped at the loathsome creature.

The women are of all types, from the most loathsome to the most lovable.

He knows that the scent of blood is in the air, and that the bloodhounds are at their loathsome work.

She will let me take her away from the companionship that must be loathsome to her, in spite of her devotion.

The boy's right arm was a loathsome sight, festering from a neglected wound.

loathsome

Word Origin and History for loathsome

adj.

Origin of loathsome