loathsome
adjective
loath·some ˈlōth-səm 
ˈlōt͟h-
ˈlōt͟h- : giving rise to loathing : disgusting
a loathsome disease
Smoking is a loathsome habit.
loathsomely adverb
loathsomeness noun
Synonyms
- abhorrent
- abominable
- appalling
- awful
- disgusting
- distasteful
- dreadful
- evil
- foul
- fulsome
- gross
- hideous
- horrendous
- horrible
- horrid
- nasty
- nauseating
- nauseous
- noisome
- noxious
- obnoxious
- obscene
- odious
- offensive
- rancid
- repellent
- repellant
- repugnant
- repulsive
- revolting
- scandalous
- shocking
- sickening
- ugly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
we traced the foul smell to a pile of loathsome garbage by the back wall
Recent Examples on the Web The youngish leading man was needed to play a handsome, heartbroken insurance agent who gets dragged into a convoluted policy investigation when the Garveys’ loathsome brother-in-law turns up dead. 
New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 More recently, the progressive left has largely given up on the idea that everyone, including people whose opinions and customs progressives find loathsome, deserves legal protections. Barton Swaim, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 Meanwhile, the loathsome Jones continues his reprehensible behavior. Teresa M. Hanafin, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2022 There’s the sportswashing on behalf of a loathsome regime, the questionable competitive standards, the laughable shotgun starts, the shallow fields, the ever-changing teams component. Eamon Lynch, USA TODAY, 24 July 2022 While Sterling’s resurrection is hailed by his loathsome friends, those same friends, especially their wives, quickly turn their backs on him when the source of his endless wealth is exposed. Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2022 Jeremy Piven is particularly loathsome as Johnny Bunkley. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 8 June 2022 The Celtics swept the loathsome Nets, dethroned Giannis Antetokounmpo and the champion Bucks by coming back from a 3-2 deficit, and won a Game 7 in Miami. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 17 June 2022 The hypocrisies were overwhelming; the business, loathsome. Brenda Wineapple, The New York Review of Books, 11 May 2022 See More
New York Times, 18 Aug. 2022 More recently, the progressive left has largely given up on the idea that everyone, including people whose opinions and customs progressives find loathsome, deserves legal protections. Barton Swaim, WSJ, 5 Aug. 2022 Meanwhile, the loathsome Jones continues his reprehensible behavior. Teresa M. Hanafin, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2022 There’s the sportswashing on behalf of a loathsome regime, the questionable competitive standards, the laughable shotgun starts, the shallow fields, the ever-changing teams component. Eamon Lynch, USA TODAY, 24 July 2022 While Sterling’s resurrection is hailed by his loathsome friends, those same friends, especially their wives, quickly turn their backs on him when the source of his endless wealth is exposed. Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2022 Jeremy Piven is particularly loathsome as Johnny Bunkley. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 8 June 2022 The Celtics swept the loathsome Nets, dethroned Giannis Antetokounmpo and the champion Bucks by coming back from a 3-2 deficit, and won a Game 7 in Miami. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 17 June 2022 The hypocrisies were overwhelming; the business, loathsome. Brenda Wineapple, The New York Review of Books, 11 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English lothsum, from loth evil, from Old English lāth, from lāth, adjective
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
loathsome
adjective
loath·some ˈlōth-səm
ˈlōt͟h-
: very unpleasant : offensive
He could eat anything, no matter how loathsome … Jack London, The Call of the Wild
Jack London, The Call of the Wildloathsome
adjective
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment we traced the foul smell to a pile of loathsome garbage by the back wall Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- disgusting
- ugly
- awful
- horrible
- hideous
- sickening
- obnoxious
- dreadful
- obscene
- shocking
- nasty
- offensive
- odious
- unpleasant
- evil
- abominable
- repulsive
- repugnant
- abhorrent
- revolting
- horrid
- appalling
- noxious
- distasteful
- vile
- gruesome
- gross
- terrible
- nauseating
- horrific
- repellent
- noisome
- horrendous
- scandalous
- undesirable
- nauseous
- foul
- rancid
- hateful
- detestable
- fulsome
- disturbing
- monstrous
- despicable
- contemptible
- disagreeable
- repellant
- miserable
- objectionable
- unwanted
- horrifying
- heinous
- ghastly
- grim
- execrable
- unwholesome
- dislikeable
- dislikable
- atrocious
- unspeakable
- unsavory
- nightmarish
- sick
- grisly
- brackish
- unhealthy
- frightful
- barbarous
- exceptionable
- unwelcome
- sickly
- unholy
- lurid
- macabre
- uncivilized
- lousy
- ungodly
- upsetting
- sickish
- hard
- unchristian
- distressing
- off-putting
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- innocuous
- delightful
- acceptable
- desirable
- pleasant
- attractive
- alluring
- agreeable
- inoffensive
- sweet
- congenial
- delicious
- likeable
- likable
- delectable
- appealing
- luscious
- enjoyable
- pleasurable
- dreamy
- darling
- satisfying
- nice
- heavenly
- gratifying
- palatable
- pleasing
- savory
- welcome
- unobjectionable
- savoury
- felicitous
- inviting
- dulcet
- blessed
- unexceptionable
- blest
- wholesome
- salubrious
- healthful
- healthy
- delightsome
- salutary
- restorative