sheer hatred

USAGE SUMMARY

"sheer hatred" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe an intense and unadulterated feeling of dislike or hostility towards someone or something. Example: After years of being mistreated and belittled by her boss, Sarah's sheer hatred for him finally reached its breaking point and she quit her job without hesitation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

You'd think such a mad piling up would tally with some surge in raw animosity, sheer hatred.

The New Yorker

Working with a script by Alan Sharp, Aldrich leaches the territorial politics from the conflict and strips it to sheer hatred and blood spite.

The New Yorker

It may be difficult for most Americans to accept, but sometimes terrorists act out of sheer hatred and desire for revenge against our great country.

The New York Times

Barely a week after British suicide-bombers tore the heart out of London's rush hour, taking dozens of innocent lives, it is hard to see anything more than sheer hatred.

The Economist

Or, as in their rampage there after the vote when they forced more than a quarter of the population across the border into the west, they may also be acting now out of sheer hatred and revenge.

The New York Times

Hate crimes and bias-motivated crimes are some of the most underreported to police, right up there with sexual and domestic assault, even though they are so clearly based on the sheer hatred of someone for who they are – even though they should be reported the most.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Never have we seen such utter vandalism and sheer, utter, hatred," said the Rev. Francis Malley, the pastor for the parish.

The New York Times

Whereas unless the BBC is destroyed... .. "Or manages to destroy itself out of sheer self-hatred and courtesy," says Webb, who slips into the polite voice of a BBC mandarin: "You really want us to fuck off, don't you?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This brutal conjunction of beauty and violence – the remaining columns of the ancient city gold-hued against the leaden plume of destruction floating in the pure blue sky – is an image of sheer fanaticism, unbridled hatred, and the obliteration of everything anyone has ever called civilised.

The Guardian - Arts

Cole writes in the post that it will never make sense to him... Why our elites and media elites have such sheer contempt and hatred for social security.

Huffington Post

I was appalled, as ever, by the sheer intensity of the hatred directed towards Love when she married Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer hatred" to emphasize the unadulterated and intense nature of the feeling. It is most effective when describing reactions to events or situations that provoke strong negative emotions.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer hatred" in contexts where a milder term like "dislike" or "disagreement" would be more appropriate. The intensity of the phrase can be disproportionate and sound hyperbolic if misused.

Linguistic Context

Sheer hatred functions as a noun phrase that describes a powerful and undiluted negative emotion. As Ludwig highlights, it effectively portrays a strong, unadulterated feeling of dislike or hostility. The phrase combines an adjective ("sheer") to intensify the noun ("hatred"), emphasizing the purity and intensity of the emotion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer hatred" is a noun phrase used to express a strong, unadulterated feeling of dislike or hostility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in News & Media contexts. The phrase combines "sheer" to intensify "hatred", emphasizing the purity of the emotion. While the register is generally neutral, it's important to avoid overuse in contexts where a milder term would be more appropriate. Related phrases such as "utter animosity" or "pure loathing" offer similar levels of intensity. The usage guidance emphasizes the importance of using the phrase judiciously to avoid sounding hyperbolic. Considering these factors will help writers use "sheer hatred" effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter animosity

Replaces "hatred" with a synonym emphasizing deep-seated ill will and replaces "sheer" with a similar intensifier.

pure loathing

Substitutes "hatred" with a synonym connoting disgust and intense dislike, and "sheer" with a similar intensifier.

unmitigated contempt

Replaces "hatred" with a word suggesting a feeling of superiority and disdain, and modifies with "unmitigated" to convey a lack of moderation.

unadulterated malice

Replaces "hatred" with a term suggesting evil intent, using "unadulterated" to highlight the purity of the negativity.

absolute detestation

Substitutes "hatred" with a synonym indicating strong aversion, and "sheer" with "absolute" as an intensifier.

intense revulsion

Replaces "hatred" with a synonym that implies a strong feeling of disgust or repugnance, while "intense" emphasizes the depth of the feeling.

complete abhorrence

Replaces "hatred" with a synonym expressing extreme aversion or loathing, paired with "complete" to intensify the feeling.

profound antipathy

Replaces "hatred" with a more formal term for deep dislike, highlighting the depth and intensity of the negative sentiment.

extreme animosity

Replaces "hatred" with a term suggesting active enmity and ill-will, emphasizing the high degree of negativity.

deep-seated bitterness

Emphasizes the long-lasting and entrenched nature of the negative feeling, shifting the focus slightly from pure hatred to a more nuanced emotion.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer hatred" in a sentence?

"Sheer hatred" is used to describe an intense and unadulterated feeling of dislike or hostility. For example, "The dictator's actions sparked "sheer hatred" among the oppressed citizens."

What are some synonyms for "sheer hatred"?

Alternatives to "sheer hatred" include "utter animosity", "pure loathing", or "unmitigated contempt", which convey similar levels of intense dislike.

Is it appropriate to use "sheer hatred" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "sheer hatred" carries a strong emotional charge. In formal writing, consider whether a more neutral phrase like "intense disapproval" or "strong disagreement" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "sheer hatred" and "strong dislike"?

"Sheer hatred" implies a much more intense and visceral feeling than "strong dislike". "Sheer hatred" suggests deep animosity, while "strong dislike" indicates a significant but less overwhelming aversion.