Definitions

detestable

[dih-tes-tuh-buhl] / dɪˈtɛs tə bəl /

ADJECTIVE

loathsome, abominable

Synonyms

WEAK

abhorred abhorrent accursed atrocious awful despicable disgusting execrable godawful grody gross hateable hateful heinous horrid lousy low-down maggot monstrous obnoxious odious offensive outrageous repugnant repulsive revolting rotten shocking sorry vile

Antonyms

WEAK

admirable adorable adored cherished likeable loveable prized respectable respected

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Decades of lionizing men like Nile Jarvis have made his detestable personality not just easy to spot, but queasily appealing.

From Salon • Nov. 19, 2025

"Knowing the vulgarity of the old world, today I try to avoid being listened to by the new world – so that I don't come across as detestable," he told the court.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2025

And how a beloved author could have been a detestable human.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2023

Would they think that the detestable bugs had started to infest their apartments?

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2023

Thus, the idea that this unwelcome stranger would bring mayhem to their delicate balance was detestable.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Vocabulary lists containing detestable

Romeo and Juliet

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Negative Words to Describe a Person

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