loathe

[ lohth ]

verb (used with object)

, loathed, loath·ing.

1. to feel disgust or intense aversion for; abhor:

   I loathe people who spread malicious gossip.

   Synonyms: hate, abominate, detest

   Antonyms: like

loathe

/ ləʊð /

verb

1. tr to feel strong hatred or disgust for

Derived Forms

• ˈloather, noun

Other Words From

• loather noun
• un·loathed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of loathe¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English loth(i)en, lath(i)en, Old English lāthian, derivative of lāth loath

Word History and Origins

Origin of loathe¹

Old English lāthiān, from loath

Example Sentences

Its upright, narrow body rolled on skinny tires, and its layered design was loved or loathed, depending on the customer.

From Ars Technica

I prefer their loose silhouette to skin-tight leggings, especially on crampy period days when I want to exercise but loathe restrictive elastic waistbands.

From Outside Online

They are loathed by many postal workers, who say they broil during the summer and shiver in the winter when the heating system is inadequate.

From Washington Post

This image was nourished by the British press he came to loathe.

From Washington Post

It was one of the few spinoffs tolerated by the author, who generally loathed the merchandising of her work.

From Washington Post

Republicans loathe public sector unions—unless they represent cops or firefighters.

From The Daily Beast

I may loathe what Richard Spencer has to say, but I will defend, unequivocally, his right to say it.

From The Daily Beast

Consider Spirit Airlines, the dirt-cheap carrier everyone loves to loathe.

From The Daily Beast

As well as cheese and crustaceans, many people apparently loathe vegetables—which I cannot comprehend.

From The Daily Beast

But at least Obama does seem to genuinely loathe the sucking up required to grease the wheels.

From The Daily Beast

But deep in her heart she would loathe him, as only women can hate for a failing they never forgive.

From Project Gutenberg

I began to loathe the food, and the horrible cruelty to the women frequently sickened me.

From Project Gutenberg

You don't seem to realise what an utter beast he's been, and how we all loathe him for treating you—yes, you—like this.

From Project Gutenberg

I hate him—I hate him as much as I loathe myself for ever condescending to follow him.

From Project Gutenberg

I shall begin to hate my books and to loathe my little cabin.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abhor
• despise
• detest
• hate

Loathe Vs. Loath

What’s the difference between loathe and loath?

Loathe is a verb that means to hate or feel extreme disgust toward, as in I loathe the way he treats his dog or My kids loathe broccoli. Loath is an adjective that means unwilling, reluctant, or disinclined, as in They are loath to get involved in such a messy situation. 

Loathe always rhymes with the verb clothe. Loath can be pronounced this way, but it can also rhyme with both.

Loath is only ever used as an adjective, and loathe is only ever used as a verb. Both words are generally negative, but loathe is much more negative. Loathe is also the more common of the two words.

The word loathsome is an adjective form of the verb loathe that means causing feelings of loathing—disgusting or revolting. You would describe someone you loathe as loathsome.

Loath is usually followed by the word to and a verb, as in I’m loath to drive that far.

To remember that the verb loathe ends with an e, remember that it means the same thing as hate, which also ends with an e.

Here’s an example of loath and loathe used correctly in a sentence.

Example: I’m loath to think about how much he must loathe me.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between loathe and loath.

Quiz yourself on loathe vs. loath!

Should loathe or loath be used in the following sentence?

He was _____ to be so blunt, but he felt it was necessary.