dislike

1 of 2

noun

dis·​like (ˌ)dis-ˈlīk How to pronounce dislike (audio)
ˈdis-ˌlīk
plural dislikes
1
: a feeling of aversion or disapproval
2
obsolete : discord
3
: something that a person habitually does not like or enjoy
talking about his likes and dislikes

dislike

2 of 2

verb

disliked; disliking; dislikes

transitive verb

1
: to regard with dislike : disapprove
2
archaic : displease
3
obsolete : to show aversion to
disliker noun

Examples of dislike in a Sentence

Noun we have a strong dislike for olives and wouldn't eat them even if we were paid the public's general dislike of negative campaign ads Verb I dislike basketball, but I enjoy baseball. Most people dislike it when they are told what to do.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Wray still had three years left in his 10-year term, but resigned after the President signaled his intent to fire him, likely due to his dislike of the FBI’s investigation into whether there was a plan to overturn the 2020 election. Solcyré Burga, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025 His semi-acknowledged dislike of the Canadian rapper, who ruled the twenty-tens, erupted in exquisite fashion; Lamar’s denigrations not only of the man but of what the man represents catapulted him to the stratosphere. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
The industry disliked the wage increase but loathed the challenge to the franchise system and responded with a referendum to overturn the law. Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025 What remained unclear is how much of a lasting boost China’s economy could get from the ingenuity of one start-up, or how much confidence the business community could derive from the sudden friendliness of a leader who has a reputation for distrusting and disliking the private sector. Li Yuan, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dislike

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dislike was in 1567

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Cite this Entry

“Dislike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dislike. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

dislike

1 of 2 noun
dis·​like (ˈ)dis-ˈlīk How to pronounce dislike (audio)
: a strong feeling of not liking or approving

dislike

2 of 2 verb
: to feel dislike for

More from Merriam-Webster on dislike

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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