loathe

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'loathe' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word 'loathe' to express strong dislike or aversion, especially when referring to something that one finds repugnant or detestable. Example sentence: I loathe the sound of someone chewing with their mouth open.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Love it or loathe it – and many loved it, while loathing the £15 admission fee – we've got Anish Kapoor's Orbit (top) for keeps.

The Guardian

According to Cunha, around half of the families in the favela have accepted the offer of housing, but the rest are loathe to leave the homes, jobs, schools and community they have carved out for themselves, unaided.

The Guardian

As a diplomat, public servant and shadow minister, Rudd had an unhappy knack of making colleagues loathe him.

The Guardian

Southampton's manager, Ronald Koeman, was loathe to criticise his goalkeeper.

The Guardian - Sport

This was the question asked at the end of the three peak challenge that resulted in this outrageous expedition so I'm loathe to answer it.

The Guardian

I loathe travelling in groups, as did all the people who chose to make this trip.

The Guardian - Travel

Like them or loathe them, the polls will be back, and it is through such innovations that we must look if we want them to do better next time.

The Guardian - Opinion

If this has been his first year as Indigenous affairs minister, then I loathe to think what his next two years will bring.

The Guardian - Opinion

I've been on more planes than I can bear to think about and I loathe the journey from my door to the final destination.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Talking of which, do you loathe Gore Vidal and Susan Sontag as much as me?

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Both, after all, loathe and are loathed by al-Qaeda.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "loathe" to convey a strong sense of disgust or aversion. It's more potent than "dislike" and less casual than "hate".

Common error

Avoid using "loathe" in extremely casual situations where a milder term like "dislike" or "don't like" would be more appropriate. "Loathe" is a strong word and can sound overdramatic if used too frequently or in trivial contexts.

Linguistic Context

Loathe primarily functions as a transitive verb, indicating the act of intensely disliking or detesting something. As evidenced by Ludwig AI and numerous examples, it expresses a strong aversion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "loathe" is a verb used to express a strong feeling of dislike or aversion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and common usage. While "loathe" shares similarities with words like "hate" and "detest", it often implies a more profound sense of disgust. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media sources, Formal & Business contexts, and scientific publications. When writing, use "loathe" to effectively communicate a strong negative emotion, but be mindful of overusing it in casual settings where a milder term might suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hate

A common and direct synonym, indicating a strong feeling of dislike.

detest

Similar to hate, but often implies a more considered and intense dislike.

abhor

Implies a feeling of repugnance and disgust; a stronger, more formal term than "hate".

despise

Suggests looking down on something with contempt and aversion.

abominate

Indicates extreme disgust and hatred; a very strong and formal term.

can't stand

An informal way to express strong dislike or intolerance.

find repulsive

Focuses on the feeling of disgust and aversion towards something.

have an aversion to

A more formal way of expressing a strong dislike or disinclination.

dislike intensely

Directly conveys a strong feeling of dislike without necessarily implying disgust.

bear a strong grudge against

Suggests a deep-seated resentment and dislike, often stemming from a past offense.

FAQs

How do you use "loathe" in a sentence?

You can use "loathe" to express strong dislike or aversion towards something. For example, "I loathe the feeling of being stuck in traffic".

What's the difference between "loathe" and "hate"?

"Loathe" and "hate" are similar, but "loathe" often implies a more intense feeling of disgust or repugnance. While you might hate doing chores, you might loathe something truly awful, like cruelty.

What are some synonyms for "loathe"?

Synonyms for "loathe" include "detest", "abhor", "despise", and "abominate". These words all express strong feelings of dislike or aversion.

Is it correct to say "I am loathing"?

While "loathe" is not typically used in the continuous form, it is grammatically possible. However, it is more common and stylistically preferable to say "I loathe" to express a general feeling of intense dislike. "I am loathing" might be used to describe a specific instance, but it's less frequent.