# odious

/ˈoʊdiəs/ (US) · /ˈəʊdɪəs/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/odious
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

extremely unpleasant or offensive. You use this to describe something that makes you feel very angry or disgusted.

For teachers: extremely offensive, repulsive, or hateful. Often used to describe laws, taxes, or behaviors that provoke intense public resentment.

## Examples

- The new tax is an odious burden on small businesses.
- The dictator's odious policies eventually led to widespread protests and the collapse of his government.
- While the treaty was technically legal, its odious terms were widely condemned by international human rights organizations for their apparent disregard of basic civil liberties.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.