DISLIKE Synonyms: 147 Similar and Opposite Words

dislike 1 of 2

noun

(ˌ)dis-ˈlīk

Definition of dislike

as in disliking

a strong feeling of not liking or approving we have a strong dislike for olives and wouldn't eat them even if we were paid

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disapproval

refusal to accept as right or desirable the public's general dislike of negative campaign ads

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dislike

2 of 2

verb

as in to hate

to feel dislike for the two dogs disliked each other the first time they met, and never did become friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to criticize

to hold an unfavorable opinion of dislike the governor's heavy-handed way of pushing his agenda

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of dislike

Noun

Newsom’s team acknowledges widespread dislike for California, even among some Democrats, but argues that the California governor is gifted and experienced at fighting back against such criticism on the national stage. — Steve Peoples, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026 The only companies that have to worry about a federal antitrust prosecution at this point are those that Trump fiercely dislikes. — James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

Verb

Lorne Michaels took a liking to him (while disliking his predecessor) and took him under his wing, valuing his creative sense by asking for his feedback on writer packages and taking him to auditions. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026 Beyond questions of due process, Kelly also challenged the administration's assertion that its actions were based on professional journalistic standards rather than coverage the president dislikes. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dislike

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dislike

Noun

The rioters waved the Confederate flag, a clear symbol of racist hatred.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
At least one person was killed and four people were injured in a shooting near Paris that may have been motivated by Islamophobic hatred, French officials say.

— Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

Economic disapproval rose to 65%, the highest for any president CNBC has measured back to President Barack Obama, and one point higher than Biden's worst showing.

— Steve Liesman, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express strong disapproval of Vivek Ramaswamy's political ad, which features Amy Acton's estranged mother, who is portrayed as lacking credibility due to her past actions.

— Karen Tumulty, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of disapproval

Verb

Petit laid down the law on immigration, welcoming foreigners who respect France while telling agitators who hate the nation that nobody wants them around.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
So even though Steichen hated to see his friend go, his message to the team remains simple — play to Ballard's standard by staying focused, digging deep and turning things around.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of hate

Verb

Vance has neither criticized his friend nor publicly nudged Carlson to temper what’s been harsh criticism of Israel — and Trump’s cultivation of the Netanyahu government.

— Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
At an October debate, Bass pointed out that Raman, as chair of the city council’s housing and homelessness committee, had repeatedly approved spending on Inside Safe, the very program Raman now criticizes as expensive and insufficiently accountable.

— Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Noun

Although the town remains staunchly conservative, there are rumblings of displeasure with Netanyahu’s handling of the latest war against the militant group Hezbollah, and that could bode poorly for him in Israel’s election Tuesday.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
In Week 4, Vrabel was flagged after expressing his displeasure with an official's call.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of displeasure

Verb

Omar has denounced the investigations as a politically motivated conspiracy against her, and used it to urge supporters to donate to her reelection campaign.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
That backstory could make his refusal to denounce the ad a more enduring political problem for him.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of denounce

Browse Nearby Words

dislikable

dislike

disliked

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dislike.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dislike. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dislike

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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