loathing

noun

loath·​ing ˈlō-t͟hiŋ How to pronounce loathing (audio)
: extreme disgust : detestation
She regarded his hypocrisy with loathing.

Examples of loathing in a Sentence

She expressed her intense loathing of his hypocrisy. She regarded his hypocrisy with loathing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The medieval ideal suggests superstition, ignorance, vulgarity, restlessness, cruelty and religion—all of which fill my soul with horror and loathing. Henry Wiencek july 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025 He’s not emasculated, there’s no affair on the side, there’s no secret loathing, there’s no immature handling of arguments or true failures of communication with dire consequences. Alex Ross, People.com, 19 July 2025 So ubiquitous is this loathing that conservative lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo recently summoned a lovebug metaphor to criticize liberal President Lee Jae-myung’s latest Cabinet-level hire, a former provincial governor who was convicted for his involvement in a political scandal in 2019. Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025 My father’s loathing for the Catholic Church is complete and uncomplicated. Hazlitt, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for loathing

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loathing was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loathing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loathing. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

loathing

noun
loath·​ing
ˈlō-t͟hiŋ
: very great dislike : extreme disgust

More from Merriam-Webster on loathing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!