Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

detest

/dɪˈtɛst/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.87 in modern English

Syllables: de-test
IPA: /dɪˈtɛst/

7

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To dislike (someone or something) intensely; to loathe.

Transitive verb

verb

To witness against; to denounce; to condemn.

Obsolete; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"I detest snakes."
"Who dares think one thing, and another tell, / My heart detests him as the gates of hell."
"Nurse Cramer had a cute nose and a radiant, blooming complexion dotted with fetching sprays of adorable freckles that Yossarian detested."
"The heresy of Nestorius […] was detested in the Eastern churches."
"God hath detested them with his own mouth."

Etymology

PIE word *tréyes From Middle French detester (French détester), from Latin dētestor (“to imprecate evil while calling the gods to witness", "denounce", "hate intensely”), from dē- + testor (“to testify, bear witness”), from testis (“a witness”); see test, testify. Doublet of detestate.

Word Breakdown

Root: *steh₂-

Usage

Inflected Forms

detests (present, singular) detesting (participle, present) detested (participle, past) detested (past)

Derived Forms

detestability undetesting

Frequently Paired Words

detestable detestation abhor despise disdain dislike hate loathe

Synonyms

hate

Rhymes With

best west rest test request suggest guest arrest chest expressed dressed breast

Questions

How do you pronounce detest?: The recorded pronunciation is /dɪˈtɛst/.
What does detest mean?: To dislike (someone or something) intensely; to loathe.
Where does detest come from?: PIE word *tréyes From Middle French detester (French détester), from Latin dētestor (“to imprecate evil while calling the gods to witness", "denounce", "hate intensely”), from dē- + testor (“to testify, bear witness”), from testis (“a witness”); see test, testify. Doublet of detestate.

How to pronounce detest

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