What is the difference between despise and detest?

Definitions

despise

- Expressing a strong feeling of dislike or contempt towards someone or something.

- Used to describe a deep-seated hatred or loathing towards someone or something.

- Referring to a feeling of disgust or aversion towards someone or something.

detest

- Expressing a strong feeling of intense dislike or hatred towards someone or something.

- Used to describe an extreme aversion or repugnance towards someone or something.

- Referring to a feeling of disgust or loathing towards someone or something.

List of Similarities

• 1. Both words express a strong feeling of dislike or hatred.
• 2. Both words can be used to describe a deep-seated aversion or repugnance towards someone or something.
• 3. Both words convey a sense of disgust or contempt.

What is the difference?

• 1. Intensity: Detest is more intense than despise and conveys a stronger sense of hatred or loathing.
• 2. Usage: Despise is more commonly used in everyday language than detest.
• 3. Formality: Detest is considered more formal than despise.
• 4. Connotation: Despise can sometimes imply a feeling of superiority or arrogance, while detest does not have this connotation.

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Remember this!

Despise and detest are synonyms that both express a strong feeling of dislike or hatred towards someone or something. However, detest is more intense and formal than despise. Despise can sometimes imply a feeling of superiority, while detest does not have this connotation.