detest
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
To intensely dislike and have a strong aversion towards someone or something.
To feel profound hatred or revulsion, often accompanied by a sense of disgust or moral disapproval.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Detest" expresses stronger emotion than "dislike" or "hate" but is more formal and less commonly used in casual speech. It often implies a considered and lasting opinion rather than a momentary feeling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Slightly more common in British formal writing; 'loathe' is a frequent alternative in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, implies a deep-seated, almost principled hatred. May suggest the object of detestation is seen as contemptible or beneath one.
Frequency
Higher frequency in written texts than in spontaneous speech. Considered a 'higher register' word in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
detest + noun/pronoun (I detest hypocrisy.)detest + -ing form (I detest being lied to.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “can't/couldn't detest someone/something more (emphatic)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Uncommon. Might appear in formal complaints or ethical policy statements (e.g., 'We detest such corrupt practices').
Academic
Used in literary criticism, philosophy, or political science to describe strong moral or aesthetic opposition.
Everyday
Used for emphasis in speech/writing to express strong personal dislike (e.g., 'I detest reality TV').
Technical
Rare. Potential use in psychology or ethics to describe a profound negative emotional response.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I utterly detest that sort of queue-jumping.
- She detests the cold, damp weather we get in February.
American English
- I detest when people chew with their mouth open.
- He detests the political ads that flood the airwaves every election cycle.
adverb
British English
- N/A (The adverb is 'detestably', not a form of 'detest')
American English
- N/A (The adverb is 'detestably', not a form of 'detest')
adjective
British English
- N/A (The adjective is 'detestable', not 'detest')
American English
- N/A (The adjective is 'detestable', not 'detest')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I really detest onions in my salad.
- My brother detests getting up early.
- She detests any form of cruelty to animals.
- I've come to detest the constant noise from the construction site.
- The author makes it clear she detests the pretentiousness of the art world.
- He was a man who detested hypocrisy above all other vices.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DE-TEST. You 'DE-test' someone as if you are removing a 'test' of your patience—you have finally had enough of them.
Conceptual Metaphor
HATRED IS A POISON / HATRED IS A BURDEN (e.g., 'She was poisoned by her detestation of him', 'He carried his detestation like a weight').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not directly equivalent to "ненавидеть" in all contexts; "ненавидеть" is broader and more common. "Detest" is stronger and more formal, closer to "питать отвращение" or "не переносить".
Common Mistakes
- Confusing with 'protest'. Using it with 'to'-infinitive (*'I detest to go'*) is incorrect; use the -ing form.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'detest' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Detest' is stronger and more formal than 'hate'. It implies a deeper, more considered aversion, often based on moral or principled grounds, whereas 'hate' is more general and common in everyday speech.
No, it cannot. The correct pattern is 'detest + noun/pronoun' or 'detest + -ing form' (gerund). Example: 'I detest running' (correct), not 'I detest to run' (incorrect).
No, it is more common in formal writing. In casual speech, words like 'hate', 'loathe', or 'can't stand' are more frequently used.
The noun form is 'detestation'. It is a formal word meaning intense dislike. Example: 'He spoke of the dictator with utter detestation.'