The most common answer for the clue “detest” in crosswords is HATE (4 letters).

Other popular answers (by length)

If your grid needs a different length, setters often use:

  • 4 letters : HATE
  • 5 letters : ABHOR
  • 6 letters : LOATHE, RESENT, HATER (depending on clue wording)
  • 7 letters : DESPISE, CONTEMN, DISDAIN (for “detest” or “look down on”)
  • 8 letters : EXECRATE
  • 9 letters : ABOMINATE

Quick solving tip

  1. Count your spaces (e.g., 4-letter answer → try HATE first).
  2. Check any crossing letters to confirm or switch to ABHOR , LOATHE , or DESPISE as needed.

If you tell me how many letters you have and any known letters (like D_E__E), I can narrow it to the most likely single answer. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.