detestable

/di'testəbl/

Thân thiện

The judge declared the defendant's actions detestable.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Deserving intense dislike or hatred: Something or someone that is "detestable" is so morally repugnant or offensive that it evokes a strong feeling of disgust and condemnation.
   • Extremely unpleasant or abhorrent: Can describe actions, behaviors, or qualities that are considered utterly vile or loathsome.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • His detestable actions towards the innocent left a permanent stain on his reputation.
  • The dictator's detestable regime was responsible for immense suffering.
  • I find his constant lying to be absolutely detestable.

Advanced Usage

• Used for emphasis: Often paired with adverbs like "utterly," "absolutely," or "morally" to intensify the feeling of revulsion.
  • The corruption within the organization was morally detestable.
• Formal or literary condemnation: Frequently appears in formal critiques, historical accounts, or literature to describe profound wickedness.
  • The novel's villain is portrayed not just as evil, but as genuinely detestable in every aspect of his character.

Variants and Related Words

• Detest (verb): To dislike intensely; to hate.
  • I detest cruelty of any kind.
• Detestation (noun): A feeling of intense hatred or disgust.
  • She looked at the traitor with pure detestation.

Synonyms

• Abominable: Very bad or unpleasant; causing moral revulsion.
• Execrable: Extremely bad or unpleasant; abominable.
• Odious: Extremely unpleasant; repulsive.
• Repugnant: Extremely distasteful; unacceptable.
• Repulsive: Arousing intense distaste or disgust.
• Loathsome: Causing hatred or disgust; repulsive.

Antonyms

• Admirable: Deserving respect and approval.
• Commendable: Deserving praise.
• Lovable: Inspiring love or affection.
• Praiseworthy: Deserving approval and admiration.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Beneath contempt: So detestable that it is not even worthy of being despised. This phrase conveys a level of disgust even stronger than "detestable" alone.
  • His betrayal of his closest friends was beneath contempt.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. unequivocally detestable
   • abominable treatment of prisoners
   • detestable vices
   • execrable crimes
   • consequences odious to those you govern- Edmund Burke
2. offensive to the mind
   • an abhorrent deed
   • the obscene massacre at Wounded Knee
   • morally repugnant customs
   • repulsive behavior
   • the most repulsive character in recent novels

Từ đồng nghĩa

• abominable
• execrable
• odious
• abhorrent
• obscene
• repugnant
• repulsive