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detestable

detestable

9 6.5
Very unpleasant and causing people to feel strong dislike or hate
  • adjective
  • /dɪˈtɛstəbl/
: detestable
  • Again, this is a detestable act done by criminals and is not supported in Islam at all.

And I've actually found that the most detestable people that I interact with, which regrettably constitute the great majority of people, don't have that ability.

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Examples

  • But merely providing a forum for politically challenging discussion made him detestable to many Chicagoans, including a large number of his colleagues.

    Academic text (2001)
  • It's detestable, but that's the way it is.

  • "But all of those things, however detestable, are essentially personal opinions.

    Blog text (8)
  • What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.

    Blog text (13)
  • Your lack of remorse is detestable.

  • Knowing that adultery is detestable to the Lord, I will keep our marriage bed pure.

    Blog text (23)
  • I find the suggestion detestable, and I despise you for making it.

  • I find that kind of intellectual laziness detestable, even when it's used to support a position.

    Blog text (23)
  • I find the pseudo-philosophy of Ayn Rand as morally detestable as her "literature" is aesthetically objectionable.

    Blog text (32)
  • His detestable behavior at the party made everyone uncomfortable.

Synonyms

disgusting
vsdetestable
538 1.3

Causing a strong feeling of dislike or making you feel sick

is similar intensity but often expresses moral condemnation not only nausea
obnoxious
vsdetestable
  • Offensive
125 5.1

Very unpleasant in a way that makes people angry or upset

is broader intense dislike or hatred rather than social annoyance or protest
hateful
vsdetestable
111 3.6

Making people feel strong dislike or anger

is used for intense dislike generally rather than showing active hostility
despicable
vsdetestable
  • Offensive
87 5.7

Very bad in a way that makes people feel strong dislike and disgust

is extreme offence or dislike but not limited to moral contempt
repulsive
vsdetestable
54 5.5

Causing strong dislike or disgust, like a very bad smell

is extreme unpleasantness or moral offence rather than only physical revulsion
repugnant
vsdetestable
35 7.8

Very unpleasant and morally wrong to most people

is broader extreme unpleasantness including strong dislike or hatred
distasteful
vsdetestable
34 4.6

Something that makes people feel dislike or disgust

is far stronger, implying intense dislike or hatred rather than mild displeasure
objectionable
vsdetestable
29 6.7

Causing people to feel offended or want to protest

is stronger intense dislike or hatred rather than merely causing disapproval
obscene
vsdetestable
  • Offensive
27 5.7

Very shocking and upsetting to many people because it breaks moral rules

is strong general dislike or hatred rather than specifically shocking content
abominable
vsdetestable
26 7.2

Very bad or morally wrong so people strongly dislike it

is extreme unpleasantness or offence focused more on personal hatred than badness
abhorrent
vsdetestable
21 7.7

Causing strong dislike or disgust because people see it as morally wrong

is about extreme dislike or hatred without specific moral emphasis
loathsome
vsdetestable
19 7.7

Causing strong disgust or hatred in people

is extreme unpleasantness broadly, without necessarily suggesting moral condemnation
odious
vsdetestable
  • Formal
19 8.2

Very unpleasant and likely to make people feel strong dislike

is extreme unpleasantness used in general contexts not only moral judgment
contemptible
vsdetestable
  • Offensive
14 7.4

Very bad and makes people feel angry or disgusted

is stronger general hatred or strong dislike beyond mere scorn
damnable
vsdetestable
  • Formal
10 8.5

Something that people strongly blame or hate for being very bad

is rooted in extreme dislike or hatred rather than formal condemnation
repellent
vsdetestable
10 6.1

Causing strong dislike or disgust

is more focused on intense moral dislike or hatred than mere avoidance
execrable
vsdetestable
  • Formal
4 9.5

Very bad and unpleasant, causing strong dislike

is about intense personal hatred or moral disgust more than quality badness
condemnable
vsdetestable
1 7.5

Deserving strong criticism for being wrong

is more about causing intense personal hatred than formal moral criticism
hateable
vsdetestable
1 5.6

Easy for people to dislike because it seems rude or cruel

is about intense dislike and moral blame rather than just being easy to dislike
disgustful
vsdetestable
1 6.7

Causing a strong feeling of dislike or making people feel sick

is the same strong dislike but can also imply moral blame
loathly
vsdetestable
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Very unpleasant and likely to make people feel disgusted

is extreme unpleasantness often tied to moral or emotional rejection

Antonyms

115 1.0

Pleasant to do or experience

85 3.3

Having good qualities that make people respect you

likable
  • US
49 1.0

Pleasant and friendly that makes other people feel warm toward you

How Unpleasant

loathsome
19 7.7
detestable
9 6.5
offensive
  • Offensive
276 4.0
unpleasant
183 1.0

Surface Forms

detestable positive
detestabler comparative
detestablest superlative

Morphology

detestable = detest (transparent) = detest + able

Formed by regular suffixation of '-able' to the verb 'detest', so the meaning 'worthy of being detested' is directly derivable.

Etymology

Detestable comes from the Latin detestari, which meant 'to curse' or 'to hate', and it shares the same root as the everyday word detest. So if something is detestable, people think it is so bad that they strongly dislike or hate it.