detest
gb/dɪtˈɛst/ us/dɪtˈɛst/
C1
English
utál, megvet, irtózik
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
utál
A2
Usage pattern:
detest [someone/something]; detest doing [something]
He detests crowded places and avoids rush hour whenever he can.
Utálja a zsúfolt helyeket, és amikor csak tudja, elkerüli a csúcsforgalmat.
I detest being interrupted when I’m trying to concentrate.
Utálom, amikor félbeszakítanak, miközben próbálok koncentrálni.
She detested the bitter aftertaste of the medicine.
Learner examples
I detest waking up early.
Utálok korán felkelni.
He detests loud music.
Utálja a hangos zenét.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use it too casually; it is stronger and more formal than 'dislike' and often stronger than everyday 'hate'.
Meaning
hate intensely
Collocations
detest someone
|detest something
|detest doing something
|really detest
|absolutely detest
|detest it when
|detest the taste of
|detest the sound of
|detest waiting
|detest being told what to do
Synonyms
hate (More common and less formal.)
|
loathe (Very strong; often suggests disgust.)
|
despise (Often includes a sense of looking down on someone or something.)
Antonyms
love (Feel strong positive affection instead of strong dislike.)
|
like (Feel positive or mild approval instead of strong dislike.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|opinions
Definition
To hate something or someone a lot.
To dislike someone or something very strongly.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
detest [behavior/idea/practice]
She detests cruelty to animals and won’t support businesses that ignore it.
Megveti az állatkínzást, és nem támogat olyan vállalkozásokat, amelyek ezt figyelmen kívül hagyják.
Many voters detest political corruption, even when it benefits their side.
Sok választó megveti a politikai korrupciót, még akkor is, ha az a saját oldaluknak kedvez.
He detested the casual sexism he heard at work.
Learner examples
They detest racism.
Megvetik a rasszizmust.
I detest lying.
Megvetem a hazugságot.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with 'protest' or 'detect'; pronunciation and meaning are different.
Meaning
hate as morally wrong
Collocations
detest hypocrisy
|detest cruelty
|detest racism
|detest corruption
|detest violence
|detest injustice
|detest discrimination
|detest dishonesty
|detest bullying
|detest the practice of
Synonyms
abhor (More formal; emphasizes moral disgust.)
|
condemn (Focuses on stating strong disapproval rather than feeling hatred.)
|
deplore (Formal; expresses strong regret and disapproval.)
Antonyms
approve of (Think something is acceptable or good rather than wrong.)
|
endorse (Publicly support rather than strongly oppose.)
Themes
emotions
|morality
|society
Definition
To strongly hate something because you think it is bad or wrong.
To feel strong hatred and disapproval toward an action, idea, or behavior, often because you think it is wrong.
Grammar
Dictionary form
detest
IPA
GB/dɪtˈɛst/
US/dɪtˈɛst/
Syllables & stress
de - test (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (test)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: detest
- 3rd Person Singular: detests
- Present Participle: detesting
- Past: detested
Word family
Forms
detests
verb
detesting
verb
detested
verb
Core family
detestable
adjective C1
Advanced or less common
detestation
noun
detestably
adverb
Expressions
detest [someone/something] with a passion
1/dɪtˈɛst sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ wˈɪθ ə pˈæʃən/
fixed phrase
hate extremely strongly
To hate someone or something a lot.
Examples
- She detests dishonesty with a passion.
- I detest that song with a passion—it’s been stuck in my head for days.
- He detested being patronized with a passion.
Learner examples
- He detests broccoli with a passion.
detest the idea of [something]
1/dɪtˈɛst ðə aɪdˈiə əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
strongly hate a possible plan
To hate thinking about doing something.
Examples
- I detest the idea of moving again so soon.
- She detested the idea of asking her parents for money.
- They detest the idea of working weekends.
Learner examples
- I detest the idea of flying.
- He detests the idea of losing his job.
detest the thought of [something]
1/dɪtˈɛst ðə θˈɔt əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
strongly hate imagining something
To hate thinking about something bad happening.
Examples
- He detested the thought of leaving his dog behind.
- She detests the thought of speaking in public.
- We detested the thought of wasting all that food.
Learner examples
- I detest the thought of being late.