/dɪˈtest/
de·test
BrE /dɪˈtest/
NAmE /dɪˈtest/
(not used in the progressive tenses)
~ sb/sth |
~ doing sth
to hate sb/sth very much
SYN loathe
They detested each other on sight.
hatedislike ◇ can’t stand ◇ despise ◇ can’t bear ◇ loathe ◇ detest
These words all mean to have a strong feeling of dislike for sb/sth.
hate to have a strong feeling of dislike for sb/sth NOTE Although hate is generally a very strong verb, it is also commonly used in spoken or informal English to talk about people or things that you dislike in a less important way, for example a particular type of food.：
He hates violence in any form.
I’ve always hated cabbage.
dislike (rather formal) to not like sb/sth NOTE Dislike is a rather formal word; it is less formal, and more usual, to say that you don’t like sb/sth, especially in spoken English.：
I don’t like it when you phone me so late at night.
can’t stand (rather informal) used to emphasize that you really do not like sb/sth：
I can’t stand his brother.
She couldn’t stand being kept waiting.
despise to dislike and have no respect for sb/sth：
He despised himself for being so cowardly.
can’t bear used to say that you dislike sth so much that you cannot accept or deal with it：
I can’t bear having cats in the house.
can’t stand or can’t bear?
In many cases you can use either word, but can’t bear is slightly stronger and slightly more formal than can’t stand.
loathe to hate sb/sth very much：
They loathe each other.
NOTE Loathe is generally an even stronger verb than hate, but it can also be used more informally to talk about less important things, meaning ‘really don’t like’.：
Whether you love or loathe their music, you can’t deny their talent.
detest (rather formal) to hate sb/sth very much：
They absolutely detest each other.
Patterns
I hate/dislike/can’t stand/can’t bear/loathe/detest doing sth.
I hate/can’t bear to do sth.
I hate/dislike/can’t stand/can’t bear it when…
I really hate/dislike/can’t stand/despise/can’t bear/detest sb/sth.
I absolutely hate/can’t stand/loathe/detest sb/sth.
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de·test·ation
BrE /ˌdiːteˈsteɪʃn/
NAmE /ˌdiːteˈsteɪʃn/
[U]