1
as in hatred
a very strong dislike
a congenital detestation of injustice, which drove her to become an activist for civil rights
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enemy
something or someone that is hated
the family's pickiest eater is quite vehement in expressing his feelings about boiled cabbage, a particular detestation of his
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detestation
Between the lines: Many undecideds are painfully trying to balance their sense of obligation with their detestation for Trump, as USA Today first detailed on Thursday.
—
Erin Doherty, Axios, 14 Dec. 2024
One of the most memorable chapters epitomizes her detestation for the ultra-wealthy and pompous intellectuals who rushed to rationalize her work.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024
Media coverage oscillated wildly between sycophantic applause and puritanical scrutiny - celebrities made to traipse an ephemeral, razor thin line between public adoration and detestation.
—Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 4 Aug. 2023
That was the level of detestation and dedication to overturning Roe.
—Tara Kole, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 July 2022
Others balance their detestation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine against other concerns.
—Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 21 Mar. 2022
Here all the liturgical phrases of the 19th-century religion of progress, which had seemed hollow and platitudinous to a young man growing up in America in detestation of the Sunday supplements, rang true.
—John Dos Passos, National Review, 28 Sep. 2020
Germany has set aside its traditional detestation for debt to unleash emergency spending, while enabling the rest of the European Union to breach limits on deficits.
—Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020
But how much of a life, free of troubles and self-detestation, can a 15-year-old boy concerned with raising an infant build before his sense of self is devoured?
—Darcel Rockett, chicagotribune.com, 3 Oct. 2019
Erin Doherty, Axios, 14 Dec. 2024
One of the most memorable chapters epitomizes her detestation for the ultra-wealthy and pompous intellectuals who rushed to rationalize her work.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024
Media coverage oscillated wildly between sycophantic applause and puritanical scrutiny - celebrities made to traipse an ephemeral, razor thin line between public adoration and detestation.
—Colin Scanlon, Redbook, 4 Aug. 2023
That was the level of detestation and dedication to overturning Roe.
—Tara Kole, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 July 2022
Others balance their detestation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine against other concerns.
—Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, 21 Mar. 2022
Here all the liturgical phrases of the 19th-century religion of progress, which had seemed hollow and platitudinous to a young man growing up in America in detestation of the Sunday supplements, rang true.
—John Dos Passos, National Review, 28 Sep. 2020
Germany has set aside its traditional detestation for debt to unleash emergency spending, while enabling the rest of the European Union to breach limits on deficits.
—Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020
But how much of a life, free of troubles and self-detestation, can a 15-year-old boy concerned with raising an infant build before his sense of self is devoured?
—Darcel Rockett, chicagotribune.com, 3 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detestation
Noun
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That ecstatic communal experience is a glorious moment of freedom for oppressed people, most of them living hand-to-mouth in an environment of hatred and exploitation.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In fact, her personal hatred of gripping challenges even served as her Survivor hot take below.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Some were emblazoned with images of Maximilian I of Bavaria and Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III. Further, archaeologists discovered fragments of lead bullets and deposits of metal wheels — which were likely safeguarded to prevent them from falling into enemy hands after the army left camp.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
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The character went from being Emily’s friend to becoming her enemy as the two wrestled in a love triangle with Gabriel.—
Vivian Kwarm,
New York Daily News,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The reactions from right-of-center publications divide into roughly four camps, aligning on a spectrum ranging from vocal approval to outright abhorrence.—
Zack Beauchamp,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
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Tolin doesn’t candy coat the animosity, helping children to understand how artists and Others continue to be misunderstood and how that lack of appreciation fuels abhorrence.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Netanyahu, in short, is not as popular as his antipathies.—
Bernard Avishai,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Notably the administration has been silent on its intentions towards China, which strikes me as odd given that many members of the administration are united in their antipathy towards America’s geostrategic rivalry (Marco Rubio for example published ‘The World China Made’).—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Durant suggested his decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign with the Golden State Warriors in 2016 started the hate campaign against him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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When anti-Asian hate was on the rise during the COVID pandemic, signs popped up around the city reading #StopAsianHate.—
Sara Colb,
Boston Herald,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
According to research, the fear of flying is one of the most prevalent phobias in the world.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The research could help scientists better understand how to help people with anxiety, phobias, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Take calculated risks: Combat the perception of risk aversion by championing bold, innovative initiatives that push organizational boundaries.—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
His approach to its development was, in part, a product of his aversion to writing.—
Christopher Byrd,
The New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In keeping with their distaste for regulations, Republicans and the broader conservative legal movement have long treated independent agencies as an abomination—and last month Trump sought to rein them in with an executive order that purported to bring them further under his direct control.—
Cristian Farias,
The New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2025
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Yes, the end results are abominations, but there’s at least a lot less to get worked up about.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Detestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detestation. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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