Cool MateDespise vs Detest vs Dislike vs Hate
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
Hate
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Despise | Detest | Dislike | Hate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪˈtɛst//🇺🇸 //dɪˈtɛst// | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪsˈlaɪk/","/dɪsˈlaɪks/","/dɪsˈlaɪkt/","/dɪsˈlaɪkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪsˈlaɪk/","/dɪsˈlaɪks/","/dɪsˈlaɪkt/","/dɪsˈlaɪkɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/heɪt/","/heɪts/","/ˈheɪtɪd/","/ˈheɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/heɪt/","/heɪts/","/ˈheɪtɪd/","/ˈheɪtɪŋ/"]/ | |
| Meaning | To hate something very much. | to not like something | to strongly dislike someone or something | |
| Example | - | I detest waiting in long lines at the grocery store. | I really dislike waking up early in the morning. | I really hate waking up early in the morning. |
| Register | - | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | - | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 | B1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | 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 | particularly, really, absolutely, begin to, come to, grow to, for, hate it when, hate to say, see, think, etc. |
| Antonyms | - | love, admire, appreciate | like, appreciate | love, like, enjoy |
| 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. | Using 'hate' too casually in friendly conversation., Confusing 'hate' with 'detest' — 'detest' is stronger., Using 'hate' instead of 'dislike' in polite contexts. |
| 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. | Use 'hate' when expressing strong aversion or dislike. It's appropriate in most contexts, but can be too intense in formal situations. 'Hate' is stronger than just 'dislike' and can come off as aggressive. |
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Frequently asked questions: Despise vs Detest vs Dislike vs Hate
What's the difference between Despise, Detest, Dislike, and Hate?
Despise: Detest: To hate something very much. Dislike: to not like something Hate: to strongly dislike someone or something
Can I use Despise, Detest, Dislike, and Hate interchangeably?
Not always. Despise, Detest, Dislike, and Hate 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.