Word
detest
Phoneticsde·test, stress on the second syllable
US/diˈtɛst/
UK/dɪtˈɛst/
Definition
v. to hate someone or something very much. You use this when you feel a strong dislike that is hard to explain.
v. to hate intensely or with great dislike. Often implies a visceral or instinctive aversion rather than a rational dislike.
Examples
“I detest the smell of wet wool.”
“She detests the way the office manager treats the younger staff, often speaking to them in a condescending tone.”
“While he claims to be a pacifist, he detests the very idea of a world without a strong central authority to maintain order.”
Examples
simple
“I detest the smell of wet wool.”
contextual
“She detests the way the office manager treats the younger staff, often speaking to them in a condescending tone.”
complex
“While he claims to be a pacifist, he detests the very idea of a world without a strong central authority to maintain order.”
Real-World Examples
“Grant , who had come to detest Custer largely over their political differences , insisted that another officer be put in charge.” “Hockney detested the "cultural bossiness of New Labour" and joined the Countryside March in protest.” “She detests glitzy, corporate, growth-obsessed modern Indian, and there in the forest she found a brief peace.” Etymology
PIE word *tréyes From Middle French detester (French détester), from Latin dētestor (“to imprecate evil while calling the gods to witness", "denounce", "hate intensely”), from dē- + testor (“to testify, bear witness”), from testis (“a witness”); see test, testify. Doublet of detestate.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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