distaste

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distaste" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of dislike or aversion towards something. Example: "She expressed her distaste for the new policy during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not just distaste that makes politicians bodyswerve most of the debates being had on Twitter, Reddit and the like.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Knausgaard took this distaste for the unreal and the manipulated to new extremes.

The Guardian - Books

No; the reason for her distaste is because they remind her of how, having left school at 16, she spent a summer working long hours in a sweltering artificial flower factory with a plastic corrugated roof.

The Guardian

He believed that anti-grouse-shoot campaigners were driven by a hypocritical distaste for those who take pleasure in killing wild birds.

The Guardian

Just as Labour overcame its distaste for those it would once have seen as rapacious capitalists and wicked press barons, so Tory toffs overcame theirs for people they used to treat as social inferiors.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jackie O had nothing on us as we lay there sunning ourselves as yachties pootled past, often doing a circuit or two of Oceanus, their lips curling in distaste.

The Guardian - Travel

Holidays were viewed with distaste and punctuated with eager phone calls seeking an excuse to return to London once the obligatory photograph on the beach with Denis and a borrowed dog had been snapped.

The Guardian

He was regarded by the public as not like other politicians because of his distaste for adversarial politics.

The Guardian

It also treats the obnoxious kids at its core with such distaste that an older audience may find it surprisingly satisfying.

The Guardian - Film

But few others were, with Garcia making his distaste for the way Fifa had handled his investigation increasingly plain.

The Guardian - Sport

And it's not Philip Larkin's distaste for literary parties, nor the depressing research showing that books about women are less likely to win literary prizes.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distaste" to express a mild to moderate feeling of dislike or aversion. It's suitable when a stronger term like "hatred" would be inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "distaste" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger or more precise alternatives like "aversion" or "antipathy" to convey a more nuanced meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "distaste" is a noun, referring to a feeling of dislike or aversion. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. It can also function as a verb, meaning to dislike something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distaste" is a versatile term used to express a feeling of dislike or aversion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "aversion" or "antipathy" offer similar meanings, "distaste" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility. When using "distaste", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and the overall tone of your writing. Overusing it in formal contexts should be avoided; stronger or more precise synonyms may be more appropriate. Finally, ensure you use the correct preposition "for" rather than "of" after "distaste".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aversion

Implies a strong feeling of dislike or repugnance.

antipathy

Suggests a deep-seated feeling of aversion or opposition.

dislike

A general feeling of not liking something.

displeasure

Indicates dissatisfaction or disapproval.

repugnance

Emphasizes the feeling of disgust or revulsion.

disrelish

Suggests a lack of enjoyment or appreciation.

abhorrence

Signifies a strong feeling of hatred or loathing.

indignation

Involves anger or annoyance provoked by unfair treatment.

resentment

A feeling of bitterness or indignation as a result of perceived unfairness.

animus

Implies strong dislike or enmity.

FAQs

How can I use "distaste" in a sentence?

You can use "distaste" to describe a feeling of dislike or aversion towards something. For example, "She expressed her distaste for the new policy". It can also describe a literal bad taste, such as "He had a distaste in his mouth after eating the spoiled fruit".

What's the difference between "distaste" and "disgust"?

"Distaste" implies a feeling of mild dislike or aversion, while "disgust" suggests a stronger feeling of revulsion or repulsion. "Distaste" is a milder emotion than "disgust".

What are some alternatives to using the word "distaste"?

You can use alternatives such as "aversion", "antipathy", or "dislike", depending on the context and the intensity of the feeling you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a distaste for" or "distaste of"?

It is more common and grammatically correct to say "a distaste for" something. While "distaste of" is not strictly incorrect, it is less frequently used and may sound awkward.