Cool MateDespise vs Detest vs Dislike
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Despise
Detest
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B1verb
Dislike
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Most common: Dislike
| Despise | Detest | Dislike | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈtɛst//🇺🇸 //dɪˈtɛst// | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪsˈlaɪk/","/dɪsˈlaɪks/","/dɪsˈlaɪkt/","/dɪsˈlaɪkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪsˈlaɪk/","/dɪsˈlaɪks/","/dɪsˈlaɪkt/","/dɪsˈlaɪkɪŋ/"]/ | |
| Meaning | To hate something very much. | to not like something | |
| Example | - | I detest waiting in long lines at the grocery store. | I really dislike waking up early in the morning. |
| Register | - | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | - | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | - | detest doing something, detest the idea, detest with a passion | cordially, greatly, heartily, be generally disliked, be universally disliked, be widely disliked |
| Antonyms | - | love, admire, appreciate | like, appreciate |
| Common mistakes | - | Confusing with 'dislike' which is less intense., Incorrect use with gerunds (e.g., 'detest to swim' is wrong). | Confused with 'hate' — 'dislike' is less strong., Using 'dislike' incorrectly in questions — remember to say 'Do you dislike...?'., Mixing it up with 'not like' — it's common but 'dislike' is more direct. |
| Usage notes | - | Use in formal and neutral contexts. Avoid in casual conversations; it may sound too strong for minor dislikes. | Use 'dislike' when expressing a strong feeling of not liking something. It's neutral and can be used in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using it in overly formal situations where 'disapprove of' might be more appropriate. |
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Frequently asked questions: Despise vs Detest vs Dislike
What's the difference between Despise, Detest, and Dislike?
Despise: Detest: To hate something very much. Dislike: to not like something
Which is more common: Despise, Detest, and Dislike?
Dislike is the most common in everyday English.
Can I use Despise, Detest, and Dislike interchangeably?
Not always. Despise, Detest, and Dislike are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.