Dislike vs. Hate vs. Loathe

All three verb describe a negative feeling towards someone or something but they differ in their degree. Follow the lesson to learn about their difference.

What is the difference between 'dislike' and 'hate' and 'loathe'?

All three verbs mean to not like somebody or something, but they differ in their degree and strength. While 'dislike' is a less strong and more formal word, 'hate' is stronger than 'dislike' but weaker than 'loathe'. This lesson will discuss the difference between these three verbs.

Difference in Strength

'Dislike' suggests a mild or moderate negative feeling or lack of preference towards something or someone. It indicates a lesser degree of resentment or a simple preference against something without a strong emotional reaction. 'Hate' conveys a more strong and intense negative feeling or extreme hostility towards something or someone. It represents a deep emotional or personal repulsion, often accompanied by anger, resentment, or a desire for harm. Finally, 'loathe' expresses the most extreme level of disgust or resentment among the three verbs. It implies an intense, profound, and often irrational feeling of hatred. Here are some examples:

I dislike the taste of spicy food.

She dislikes going to crowded places.

She hates the way he treats her.

He hates feeling like a loser.

He loathes the sight of spiders.

He loathes having to attend social events.

Tip!

In everyday usage, 'dislike' is not common. Instead, people either say 'don’t/doesn't like' or use 'hate' to express the general sense of having negative feelings toward someone or something, even in cases where the negative feeling is not as strong as implied by 'hate'.

I hate doing household chores.

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