loath
4 synonyms and 1 antonyms for loath, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Reluctant or unwilling to do something.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use loath
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English lāð ("hateful, hostile"), an ancestor shared with "loathe" and "loathsome".
Full origin of loath →Frequently asked questions
What does “loath” mean?
The word “loath” means reluctant or unwilling to do something. In plain terms, unwilling or reluctant — always used with "to" plus a verb, as in "loath to leave".
How do you pronounce “loath”?
“Loath” is pronounced lohth (/loʊθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “loath” in a sentence?
Here is “loath” used in a sentence: “She was loath to admit she had made a mistake.”
What is another word for “loath”?
Words with a similar meaning to “loath” include averse, disinclined, reluctant and unwilling.
What is the opposite of “loath”?
The opposite of “loath” — its antonyms — is antonym(s) of.
What part of speech is “loath”?
“Loath” is an adjective.
Where does the word “loath” come from?
The word “loath” comes from Old English. From Old English lāð ("hateful, hostile"), an ancestor shared with "loathe" and "loathsome".