1
as in disgust
a dislike so strong as to cause stomach upset or queasiness
the sight of his mortal enemy getting that undeserved promotion filled him with loathing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hatred
a very strong dislike
I have an uncompromising loathing for anyone who would deliberately harm an animal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hating
to dislike strongly
I simply loathe tapioca pudding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in hateful
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loathing
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
While support for Ukraine’s defense and fear and loathing of Russia span most of Poland’s political spectrum, a sluggish economy leaves many feeling Ukrainians should return home.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 21 June 2025
Every feeling and its opposite are readily available to either partner, so that even a slight disruption of their equilibrium can result in wild swings toward loathing.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 May 2025
He’s also driven by pure loathing of the nobility, and is in a long-running rivalry with Talleyrand for influence in government.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for loathing
Verb
And – as was the case with the elusive summit between Trump, Zelensky and Putin – do not expect this heady mix of egos, deference and loathing to yield results.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
While support for Ukraine’s defense and fear and loathing of Russia span most of Poland’s political spectrum, a sluggish economy leaves many feeling Ukrainians should return home.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 21 June 2025
Every feeling and its opposite are readily available to either partner, so that even a slight disruption of their equilibrium can result in wild swings toward loathing.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 May 2025
He’s also driven by pure loathing of the nobility, and is in a long-running rivalry with Talleyrand for influence in government.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for loathing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loathing
Noun
-
Though Naomi’s expression is one of disgust and defeat, Lydia’s face shows no anger, but rather love.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
That said, there is one enduring image from this game: Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri, furious, storming down the tunnel in disgust after his goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, refused to be substituted.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
There’s a great tradition in sports of being driven by a fear, or a hatred, of that feeling.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
She’s been feeling so much hatred, so much anger, so much sadness, so much disappointment these last few episodes.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Late in the episode, Cartman calls off his suicide attempt after Butters helps convince him that there’s always hope for a return to the world where Cartman’s hateful trollery will again be a minority voice pushing back against the mainstream.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
24 July 2025
-
His otherwise incomparable legacy will forever be stained by his hateful remarks about Black people.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
Carlson and Morris also expressed a distaste for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, whom Carlson eviscerated during an interview last week when the pair discussed the conflict in the Middle East and Cruz was unable to answer general questions about Iran, such as how many people live there.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
24 June 2025
-
In the four years my husband and I have been married, his distaste for the LGBTQ community has grown into a passion.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
By contrast, there’s something almost nakedly contemptuous about the end of this season.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
-
That’s fine by an administration that seems basically contemptuous of the very concept of due process.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
The cast gets a huge boost at midseason with the arrival of John Leguizamo, equally broadly funny and vulnerable as Dave’s disgraced former partner, and Anna Chlumsky, hilariously scornful as a law enforcement outsider who gets brought into the story’s chaos.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
-
The advisee may present herself as a supplicant but end up an aggressor, demanding and scornful.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Loathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loathing. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share