Loathing — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective verb /ˈlō-t͟hiŋ/ loath·ing

Meaning & Definition of Loathing

Loathing (noun)

  1. extreme disgust, detestation

Loathing (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a dislike so strong as to cause stomach upset or queasiness

    "the sight of his mortal enemy getting that undeserved promotion filled him with loathing"

    similar: aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion
    related: abhorrence, abomination, antipathy, execration, hate, hatred, allergy, averseness, disapproval, disfavor, disinclination, dislike, disliking, displeasure
    near: appetite, bent, fancy, favor, fondness, like, liking, love, partiality, penchant, predilection, preference, propensity, relish, shine, taste, use

  2. a very strong dislike

    "I have an uncompromising loathing for anyone who would deliberately harm an animal"

    similar: abhorrence, abomination, detestation, execration, hate, hatred
    related: cattiness, despite, despitefulness, hatefulness, invidiousness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, spite, spitefulness, aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, odium, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bitterness, contempt, disdain, enmity, grudge, hostility, jealousy, pique, resentment, scorn, bile, jaundice, rancor, spleen, venom, virulence, vitriol
    opposite: affection, devotion, fondness, love
    near: appetite, inclination, liking, admiration, adoration, veneration, worship, acceptance, tolerance, passion, relish, taste

Loathing (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in hateful, contemptuous

    similar: condemning, contemptuous, disapproving, hateful, scornful
    opposite: adoring, adulatory, deifying, idolizing, worshipful, worshipping, glorifying, reverent, reverential, venerating, hagiographic

Loathing (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to dislike strongly

    "I simply loathe tapioca pudding"

    similar: abhorring, abominating, despising, detesting, execrating, hating, having it in for
    related: deploring, deprecating, disapproving (of), discountenancing, disdaining, disfavoring, scorning
    opposite: loving
    near: desiring, fancying, favoring, liking, preferring, enjoying, relishing, admiring, adoring, approving (of), esteeming, hallowing, idolizing, revering, venerating, worshipping, cherishing, prizing, treasuring

Related Entry: Loathe (verb)

Loathe is a different word from Loathing. The synonyms below are for loathe, not for loathing.

  1. to dislike strongly

    "I simply loathe tapioca pudding"

    similar: abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, have it in for
    related: deplore, deprecate, disapprove (of), discountenance, disdain, disfavor, scorn
    opposite: love
    near: desire, fancy, favor, like, prefer, enjoy, relish, admire, adore, approve (of), esteem, hallow, idolize, revere, venerate, worship, cherish, prize, treasure

Related Entry: Self-loathing (noun)

Self-loathing is a different word from Loathing. The synonyms below are for self-loathing, not for loathing.

  1. as in self-disgust, self-hate

    similar: self-disgust, self-hate, diffidence, self-doubt, altruism, unselfishness, humbleness, humility, modesty, bashfulness, demureness, shyness, timidity, timidness, passiveness, passivity
    opposite: amour propre, bighead, complacence, complacency, conceit, conceitedness, ego, egotism, pomposity, pompousness, pride, pridefulness, self-admiration, self-assumption, self-conceit, self-congratulation, self-esteem, self-glory, self-importance, self-love, self-opinion, self-satisfaction, smugness, swelled head, swellheadedness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity, assurance, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, self-righteousness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Loathing

The most common words with a similar meaning to Loathing:

aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, abhorrence, abomination, detestation, execration, hate, hatred, condemning, contemptuous, disapproving, hateful, scornful, abhorring, abominating, despising, detesting, execrating, hating, having it in for

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Loathing

Words with the opposite meaning of Loathing:

affection, devotion, fondness, love, adoring, adulatory, deifying, idolizing, worshipful, worshipping, glorifying, reverent, reverential, venerating, hagiographic, loving

Related Words for Loathing

antipathy, allergy, averseness, disapproval, disfavor, disinclination, dislike, disliking, displeasure, cattiness, despite, despitefulness, hatefulness, invidiousness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, spite, spitefulness, odium, animosity, antagonism, bitterness, contempt, disdain, enmity, grudge

Near Antonyms of Loathing

appetite, bent, fancy, favor, like, liking, partiality, penchant, predilection, preference, propensity, relish, shine, taste, use, inclination, admiration, adoration, veneration, worship, acceptance, tolerance, passion, desiring, fancying, favoring, preferring, enjoying, relishing, admiring

Origin & Etymology of Loathing

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Loathing

self-loathing

Frequently Asked Questions about Loathing

What does "Loathing" mean?

"Loathing" means extreme disgust, detestation. As an a noun, an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: extreme disgust, detestation. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Loathing"?

Other words for "Loathing" include aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, nausea, repugnance, repulsion and revulsion. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Loathing" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Loathing"?

There are 75 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Loathing". Common alternatives include aversion, disgust, distaste, horror, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, abhorrence and abomination.

What is the opposite of "Loathing"?

Antonyms of "Loathing" include affection, devotion, fondness, love, adoring, adulatory, deifying and idolizing. Near antonyms include appetite, bent, fancy and favor.

How do you use "Loathing" in a sentence?

Examples of "Loathing" in a sentence: "the sight of his mortal enemy getting that undeserved promotion filled him with loathing"; "I have an uncompromising loathing for anyone who would deliberately harm an animal"; "I simply loathe tapioca pudding".

Is "Loathing" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Loathing" can be used as a noun, an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Loathing"?

"Loathing" is pronounced /ˈlō-t͟hiŋ/ and divided into syllables as loath·ing.

What is the origin of the word "Loathing"?

First known use: 14th century.