detestable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "detestable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is deserving of intense dislike or disgust. Example: "The actions of the corrupt politician were truly detestable, leading to widespread outrage among the citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will pave the way for the detestable injustices of the American two-tier system.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stew, could you divulge something detestable about yourself to help quell my longstanding crush on you?

The Guardian

The Taliban and Osama bin Laden were, he explained, "detestable murderers and scumbags" who should be hunted down.In this section Et tu, Julio?

The Economist

THIS Monday's New York Daily News printed a delicious bit of character assassination: "He's a vile, detestable, moralistic person with no heart and no conscience who believes he's been tapped by God to do very important things".

The Economist

Another, covering some of the same ground, recalls for example that perjury, according to a celebrated English jurist writing in 1717, "is of all the crimes whatsoever the most infamous and detestable".

The Economist

Mr Gilder argues: "The mind-boggling amount of data and the speed at which it will travel via bandwidth technology will render today's time-wasting practices both obsolete and detestable".Sceptics may well ask themselves if the exciting new age has not produced its own version of C. Northcote Parkinson's famous law about work and time: junk communication expands to fill the bandwidth available.

The Economist

There was at any rate no mention of the "detestable murderers and scumbags" whom the bellicose chief of defence staff, General Rick Hillier, once said were Canada's target in Afghanistan.

The Economist

Mr Kershaw admits here that he finds Hitler "detestable".

The Economist

It resembles the Yankee flag and that is enough to make it unutterably detestable".

The New York Times

Goethe considered Beethoven to be "an utterly untamed personality, who is not altogether in the wrong in holding the world to be detestable, but surely does not make it any the more enjoyable either for himself or for others by his attitude".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Beyond the reach of the Mongols and relying on second-hand information, the 13th-century chronicler Matthew Paris called them a "detestable nation of Satan that poured out like devils from Tartarus so that they are rightly called Tartars".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "detestable" when you want to express a strong feeling of disgust or aversion. Ensure the context warrants such a strong word, as it can be perceived as quite harsh.

Common error

Avoid using "detestable" in contexts where a milder term like "unpleasant" or "disagreeable" would suffice. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact when you truly need it.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "detestable" functions to express a strong negative evaluation or judgment about something. It indicates that something is intensely disliked or evokes feelings of disgust. Ludwig AI confirms that "detestable" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "detestable" is used to express a strong feeling of dislike or disgust. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It appears frequently in News & Media and Encyclopedias and its primary function is to convey a powerful negative sentiment, often with moral implications. While generally neutral, "detestable" leans towards formal, and it's important to avoid overuse in milder contexts. Consider alternatives like "unpleasant" or "disagreeable" when a less intense term is sufficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abominable

Emphasizes causing disgust and hatred.

loathsome

Highlights the feeling of intense dislike and disgust.

despicable

Focuses on something deserving contempt and scorn.

odious

Stresses the unpleasant and repulsive nature of something.

repugnant

Indicates something extremely distasteful and unacceptable.

abhorrent

Highlights the feeling of revulsion and disgust.

revolting

Emphasizes the causing of intense disgust.

offensive

Highlights the causing of displeasure or resentment.

vile

Focuses on something extremely unpleasant or bad.

disgusting

Highlights the causing of a strong feeling of revulsion or disapproval.

FAQs

How can I use "detestable" in a sentence?

"Detestable" is used to describe something that evokes intense dislike or disgust. For instance, "The politician's corrupt actions were "detestable" to the public".

What's a less intense alternative to "detestable"?

If "detestable" seems too strong, consider using alternatives like "unpleasant", "disagreeable", or "distasteful", depending on the level of disapproval you wish to convey.

Is "detestable" suitable for formal writing?

While "detestable" is a valid word, it carries a strong emotional charge. In formal writing, consider whether a more neutral term might be more appropriate, such as "reprehensible" or "objectionable".

What is the difference between "detestable" and "despicable"?

"Detestable" implies a strong feeling of dislike or disgust, while "despicable" suggests something worthy of contempt and scorn. While similar, "despicable" focuses more on moral reprehensibility.