Cool MateDespise vs Dislike
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Despise
Dislike
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
| Despise | Dislike | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪsˈlaɪk/","/dɪsˈlaɪks/","/dɪsˈlaɪkt/","/dɪsˈlaɪkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪsˈlaɪk/","/dɪsˈlaɪks/","/dɪsˈlaɪkt/","/dɪsˈlaɪkɪŋ/"]/ | |
| Meaning | to not like something | |
| Example | - | I really dislike waking up early in the morning. |
| Register | - | Neutral |
| How common | - | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | - | cordially, greatly, heartily, be generally disliked, be universally disliked, be widely disliked |
| Antonyms | - | like, appreciate |
| Common mistakes | - | 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 '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 Dislike
What's the difference between Despise and Dislike?
Despise: Dislike: to not like something
Can I use Despise and Dislike interchangeably?
Not always. Despise 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.