Difference Between Hate and Dislike

It is always important to use the correct word in your sentences, even if they have similar or the same meanings. Some words can be interchangeable, while others won’t be. It is important to first understand the correct meaning of a word before you use it.

The use and meaning of the word hate

Hate can be used as a verb or noun. When it is used as a verb the meaning of the word is basically the same. However, the one describe more a feeling than the other. If it is used as a verb it is defined as “feel intense dislike for” something. When it is used as a noun, it is defined as “intense dislike” for something.

Using synonyms in the place of hate as a verb can give you a better understanding of it. The synonyms include: loathe, detest, abhor, abominate, despise and execrate.  When it is used as a noun, the definition of hate is better expressed with synonyms. These include: loathing, detestation, distaste, abhorrence, abomination, resentment, hostility and aversion.

Example sentences: Hate as a verb

Hate will be replaced with a synonym to illustrate the different meanings.

I hate white bread.

I loathe white bread.

I detest white bread.

I despise white bread.

The example sentences illustrate that the hate in each sentence can be replaced with another verb, with similar meaning. However, hate is associated with feelings of extreme disgust. Sometimes people are even offended when the word hate is used. In the Bible hate is seen as a cardinal sin, thus it is for a lot of people offensive if hate is used.

Example sentences: hate as a noun

I received hate mail yesterday.

She gave me an intense look of hate.

They started a hate campaign in school.

They have a love and hate relationship.

Neon colours has always been a particular hate of mine.

In the above mentioned examples sentences you will see that it is basically impossible to replace the word hate with a synonym. In some sentences it might be possible, but then the sentence will lose some of the punching power to express the intense feeling of dislike[i].

If you think about it, hate has such a strong feeling attached to it that it’s used to convey the utter disgust people have with certain things. Hate crime is the best example here. This is when a crime is committed against a victim because they fall within a certain ethnic group, sexual orientation or religion. There is no other way to describe this crime as hate crime.

The meaning and uses of dislike

Dislike can also be used as a verb or as a noun. When dislike is used a verb it means that you feel distaste for or hostility towards something. Note here that the verb also conveys feelings, but the feelings that the user has. Using dislike as a noun means a feeling of distaste or hostility.

The synonyms for dislike as a verb include, but are not limited to: detest, loathe, abominate, abhor, despise, scorn and shun[ii]. When it is used as a noun, the synonyms are: aversion, distaste, disfavour, disapproval, hostility, disesteem and animosity[iii].

Example sentences using dislike as a verb.

In the example sentences dislike will be replaced with a synonym each time to bring across the meaning more clearly.

I dislike hot milk.

I loathe hot milk.

I despise hot milk.

I am abhorred by hot milk.

In each sentence the feeling towards hot milk is expressed by the use of dislike and its synonyms.

Examples sentences using dislike as a noun.

She made no secret of her dislike for her family in law.

Her mother’s disapproval of her boyfriend is very clear.

When I entered the room, the hostility was thick in the air.

The animosity they have towards each other is not a secret.

In the example sentences it is possible to replace dislike with one of its synonyms. The feeling of distaste or hostility is still conveyed, whether dislike is used or not.

When to use hate or dislike?

When you write an essay, you must always make sure that you have the correct word choice at hand. With words like hate and dislike, it can be very difficult to use the correct one.

Before choosing hate or dislike, decide which feeling the sentence wants to bring across. It is mostly better to use dislike when the feeling is towards people and animals, and then use hate when it is towards an object or an action.

Hate can be used when it is a really intense feeling that needs to be described. Be careful not to over use hate. If hate is over used in an essay, the intense feeling that it is supposed to bring across lose its feel.

Dislike is a word that can be seen as hate’s little brother. It does not have the same punching power that hate has, however the feeling can be very strong as well. Before you choose a word, write down two sentences with both words in. Read it aloud. Then you will be able to hear which feeling it conveys.

If it is still not possible to decide between hate and dislike, it is advisable to then use one of the many synonyms that are available. It is shown in the example sentences that synonyms can be used in most cases if you are unsure.

Just remember that hate cannot be substituted in terms such as hate crimes. If you substitute the words too much than your whole essay can lose meaning. Make 100% sure that the word you choose fits in the sentence, as well as the whole message of the essay. Asking someone else to read through the work will also enable the write to know if the correct word was used.

In conclusion

It is important to read as many books as available. This will show the feelings that are conveyed with which word. Making the choice between two words a lot easier.