SKIP TO CONTENT

odious

/ˈoʊdiəs/
/ˈʌʊdiɪs/
IPA guide

If something is odious, it's hateful. If you become a historian of slavery, you'll learn all the details of that odious trade.

Odious is from the Latin noun odium, which means hatred. It is a strong word, so don't call someone odious unless you want to accuse someone of being loathsome or vile. Actions can also be called odious. A typical use is Shakespeare's in Othello: "You told a lie, an odious damned lie." Some synonyms are hateful, contemptible, detestable, and abominable.

Definitions of odious
  1. adjective
    unequivocally detestable
    “"consequences odious to those you govern"- Edmund Burke”
    hateful
    evoking or deserving hatred
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘odious'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of gold-punch.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family