odious

[oh-dee-uhs]

adjective

1. deserving or causing hatred; hateful; detestable.

   Synonyms: execrable, despicable, objectionable, abominable
   Antonyms: lovable, attractive

2. highly offensive; repugnant; disgusting.

   Synonyms: repulsive, repellent, loathsome

odious

/ ˈəʊdɪəs /

adjective

1. offensive; repugnant

Other Word Forms

• odiously adverb
• odiousness noun
• unodious adjective
• unodiously adverb
• unodiousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of odious¹

1350–1400; Middle English from Latin odiōsus, equivalent to od(ium) “hatred,” odium + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of odious¹

C17: from Latin; see _odium

Synonym Study

See hateful.

Example Sentences

The would-be autocrat issuing diktats from the Oval Office may be odious to many.

From Los Angeles Times

One after another, they denounced political violence and defended Kirk’s right — everyone’s right — to speak on politics in safety, regardless of whether their message is uplifting or odious.

From Los Angeles Times

That odious power grab has now escalated to military action, and is the latest of the administration’s moves in the Caribbean.

From Salon

Once again, what Republicans are proposing is so odious that Democrats cannot be seen to have voted for it, lest their own voters turn on them.

From Salon

Finding parking in the L.A. area has long been a struggle, but these days, paying for parking can be just as odious.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abhorrent 
• abominable 
• disgusting 
• horrid 
• loathsome 
• obnoxious 
• repugnant 
• repulsive 
• revolting 
• vile