What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abominate
Example
I abominate the idea of animal cruelty. [abominate: verb]
Example
The thought of eating snails makes me abominate them. [abominating: gerund or present participle]
loathe
Example
I loathe the smell of cigarette smoke. [loathe: verb]
Example
She loathed the idea of having to work with her ex-boyfriend. [loathed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Loathe is more commonly used than abominate in everyday language. Loathe is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abominate is less common and more formal, often reserved for more serious or extreme situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between abominate and loathe?
Abominate is more formal and less commonly used in everyday language than loathe. While both words have a strong and emphatic tone, abominate is typically reserved for more serious or extreme situations, while loathe can be used in both formal and informal contexts.