Loathing is an intense feeling of hatred or disgust toward something or someone. It goes far beyond simple dislike: when you feel loathing, you find something so repulsive that you want to stay as far away from it as possible.

You might feel loathing for the taste of a food that makes you gag, or for a bully who treats others cruelly. The witch in The Wizard of Oz speaks with loathing about Dorothy and her little dog. A person might describe their loathing of injustice, or their loathing of having to wake up early on cold mornings.

The word suggests a deep, visceral reaction. Regular dislike is when you'd rather not eat broccoli. Loathing is when the mere thought of it turns your stomach. When characters in stories act with loathing, you can hear it in their sneering voices and see it in their twisted expressions.

Self-loathing describes the painful experience of hating yourself, often when you feel ashamed or disappointed about something you've done. It is a harmful feeling that can make people lose confidence and joy, and it can be a sign that someone needs support.