dislike towards

USAGE SUMMARY

"dislike towards" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to an attitude of not having a positive feeling or opinion towards something. Example sentence: His parents noticed a growing dislike towards math in their son.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The people who should have feelings of dislike towards him are the thousands of children whose lives could be irreparably damaged because of his reforms.

The Guardian

And when you become aware of that, you may experience a negative feeling (or "dislike") towards your desire to harm.

SEP

While she accepts, the engagement does not last as Mark's mother (Mary Ward) takes an instant dislike towards Jane.

Wikipedia

"I felt like the hatred protruding from these people weren't like any normal dislike towards a person.

Huffington Post

The problem is that most lawmakers are sophisticated enough to appear fair-minded, even if they secretly harbor dislike towards a specific group.

Huffington Post

There's a healthy dislike towards embedded journalists within the SEAL community," said Brandon Webb, a writer and former SEAL sniper who helped train Chris Kyle.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

These studies found child's taste preferences, attitudes, likes and dislikes towards food/beverage consumption and difficult feeding/fussy eating to be factors influencing diet in young children, with parents usually offering what the child preferred.

BMJ Open

It dislikes moves towards fiscal union to save the euro.

The Economist

Mr Timmermans, one of the most pro-European voices in the cabinet, wants to turn the debate away from whether voters like or dislike the EU towards the role the EU ought to be playing.

The Economist

This freedom is another reason that teaching unions dislike the move towards free schools and academies, fearing national agreements will be tossed aside and their members' rights eroded.

BBC

There are also four child scales: (1) enthusiasm, acting with vigor, confidence, and eagerness; (2) negativity, showing anger, dislike, or hostility towards the parent; (3) persistence, the extent to which the child was involved with the toys; and (4) affection towards parent, substantial periods of positive regard and happy feelings towards the parent.

BMC Pediatrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context of your writing. In formal contexts, "dislike towards" might be perceived as overly simplistic. Instead, opt for a more nuanced expression such as "aversion to" or "antipathy towards".

Common error

Avoid using "dislike towards" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound less sophisticated than alternatives like "aversion to" or "hostility towards". Vary your vocabulary for a more polished and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dislike towards" functions as a prepositional phrase expressing a negative sentiment or aversion directed at a specific object or person. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound and acceptable. Examples show its use across various contexts to indicate negativity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dislike towards" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a negative feeling or aversion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is valid. While its usage is common across various platforms like news, wikis, and scientific publications, more formal contexts might benefit from using alternatives like "aversion to" or "antipathy towards" for enhanced sophistication. The phrase serves to express negativity and, while not overly formal, is a widely understood and acceptable way to communicate a feeling of dislike. The frequency of its occurrence is considered common and the expert rating reflects its acceptability and understandable meaning in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distaste for

Suggests a mild dislike or lack of appreciation.

aversion to

Emphasizes a strong feeling of dislike or repugnance.

antipathy to

Implies a deep-seated feeling of aversion or opposition.

negative feelings about

A more general term for unfavorable emotions.

disapproval of

Implies a moral or ethical judgment.

hostility towards

Indicates active opposition or antagonism.

unfavorable opinion of

Focuses on a negative judgment or assessment.

disinclination for

Highlights a lack of enthusiasm or willingness.

lack of enthusiasm for

Focuses on the absence of positive feelings.

indifference to

Indicates a lack of interest or concern, rather than active dislike.

FAQs

How can I use "dislike towards" in a sentence?

You can use "dislike towards" to describe a feeling of aversion or negativity directed at something or someone. For example, "The character's growing dislike towards the protagonist fueled the conflict."

What are some synonyms for "dislike towards"?

Alternatives include "aversion to", "antipathy to", "hostility towards", or "distaste for" depending on the intensity and context.

Is it more appropriate to say "dislike of" or "dislike towards"?

"Dislike of" is generally more common and often preferred in formal writing. "Dislike towards" is also acceptable, but can sometimes sound less refined. Use both according to the needs of the context.

What's the difference between "dislike towards" and "indifference towards"?

"Dislike towards" implies a negative feeling or aversion, while "indifference towards" indicates a lack of interest or concern. They represent distinct emotional responses.