loathsome

[lohth -suh m, lohth-] /ˈloʊð səm, ˈloʊθ-/

adjective

causing feelings of loathing; disgusting; revolting; repulsive:

a loathsome skin disease.

Origin

1250-1300; Middle English lothsom. See loath, -some¹

Related forms

loathsomely, adverb

loathsomeness, noun

unloathsome, adjective

Can be confused

loath, loathe, loathsome.

Synonyms

offensive, repellent, detestable, abhorrent, abominable.

Antonyms

attractive.

Examples from the web for loathsome

Also, they both loved loathsome, grotesque characters.
In all her miserable experience, there was nothing else so awful and so loathsome as this sense.
It was his delight chiefly to attend those who were sick of contagious distempers, or infected with loathsome ulcers.
The statement falsely charges someone with having a loathsome or contagious disease.
The last named place he says pen or speech cannot describe, as it contained so many loathsome and sickening horrors.

British Dictionary definitions for loathsome

/ˈləʊðsəm/

adjective

causing loathing; abhorrent

Derived Forms

loathsomely, adverb
loathsomeness, noun

Word Origin and History for loathsome

adj.

c.1300, "foul, detestable," from loath in its older, stronger sense + -some (1). Related: Loathsomely; loathsomeness.