What does "mislike" mean?
Aversion or distaste for something; dislike; (countable, archaic) an instance of this.
Mislike
/(ˌ)mɪsˈlaɪk/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Aversion or distaste for something; dislike; (countable, archaic) an instance of this.
- Grammar: mislike is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: abhor, disapprove of, disfavor, dislike.
- Usage evidence: [T]hoſe that had forſaken hys father and taken part with him againſt his ſayde father, he ſeemed now ſo much to miſlike, that hee remoued them vtterly from his preſence, and contrariwiſe preferred ſuch as had continued faythful vnto his father in time of the troubles.
How to use "mislike"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "mislike" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "mislike" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "mislike" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "mislike" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "mislike" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abhor" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "mislike", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Aversion or distaste for something; dislike; (countable, archaic) an instance of this. archaic, uncountable
"O let not my ſecure ſimplicity, breed your miſlike, […]"
- 2 Lack of comfort; discomfort; also, difficulty; trouble; or sadness; unhappiness. obsolete, uncountable
"His mother is sister to Mr James Murray, and hath now maryed Mr John Graham, a seruante of therle of Argile, to the greif and mislike of her best frendes."
- 3 The characteristic or state of incapacity, physical distress, or weakness due to poor health; sickliness; (countable) an instance of this. obsolete, uncountable
"[If] you finde a certaine miſlike or conſumption in the plant, you ſhall immediatly vvith a ſharp knife cut the plant off ſlope-vviſe upvvard, about three fingers from the ground, and ſo let it reſt till the next ſpring, at vvhich time you ſhall behold nevv cyons iſſue from the roote, […]"
- 4 Discontent, unrest; (countable) an instance of this. obsolete, uncountable
"[T]he mislike growne among thẽselves did wel allay the heat against her […]"
Verb
- 1 To disapprove of or dislike (someone or something); to have an aversion to. transitive
"[T]hoſe that had forſaken hys father and taken part with him againſt his ſayde father, he ſeemed now ſo much to miſlike, that hee remoued them vtterly from his preſence, and contrariwiſe preferred ſuch as had continued faythful vnto his father in time of the troubles."
- 2 To displease or offend (someone). archaic, transitive
"But ther ys alſo interceſsion made to ſainctes, vvhich ys an other matter that miſliketh him therin, vvhich interceſsion alſo ys in the Maſſe of ſainct Iames."
- 3 To displease or offend. archaic, intransitive
"This ſentence ſerues, and that my hand out-ſtrikes, / That pleaſeth vvell, and this as much miſlikes, […]"
- 4 To disapprove; also, to be displeased or unhappy. intransitive, obsolete
"[N]eyther hys ſeruantes nor hymſelf ſuffered to gone^([sic – meaning go?]) oute, parceiuyng well ſo greate a thyng without his knowledge not begun for noughte, comparyng this maner preſẽ[n]t with this laſt nightes chere, ĩ[n] ſo few houres ſo gret a chaunge marueylouſlye miſliked."
- 5 To become sickly or weak due to poor health; to waste away. intransitive, obsolete
"But as vvell the one as the other applied vvith honey, doe heale old ulcers: they incarnat and fill up the hollovv concavities of fiſtulous ſores: and ſuch parts as do miſlike and vvant nouriſhment, they cauſe to gather fleſh and fill the skin againe: […]"
Adjective
- 1 Not like or similar; different, unlike. obsolete, rare
Example
"[T]hoſe that had forſaken hys father and taken part with him againſt his ſayde father, he ſeemed now ſo much to miſlike, that hee remoued them vtterly from his preſence, and contrariwiſe preferred ſuch as had continued faythful vnto his father in time of the troubles."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "mislike"?
Common synonyms include: abhor, disapprove of, disfavor, dislike, dislike, hate.
How do you use "mislike" in a sentence?
[T]hoſe that had forſaken hys father and taken part with him againſt his ſayde father, he ſeemed now ſo much to miſlike, that hee remoued them vtterly from his preſence, and contrariwiſe preferred ſuch as had continued faythful vnto his father in time of the troubles.
How do you pronounce "mislike"?
Pronounced /(ˌ)mɪsˈlaɪk/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English misliken (“to displease, offend; to disturb mentally, peturb; to dislike, find distasteful; to be unpleasant; to be displeased, dissatisfied, or unhappy; to feel sorry for (someone’s misfortune); of fruit or a tree: to fail to flourish”) [and other forms], from Old English mislīcian (“to displease; to disquiet”), from mis- (prefix meaning ‘bad; badly; wrong; wrongly’, or indicating a failure or lack) + līcian (“to like; to appeal to, please”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *leyg- (“like, similar; even, level”)). The English word is analysable as mis- + like. Cognates * Middle Dutch mislīken * Middle Low German mislīken * Old High German misselīchēn (“to displease”) (Middle High German misselīchen) * Old Norse mislíka (Icelandic mislíka (“to dislike”)) * Old Swedish mislika (modern Swedish misslika)
Etymology 2
From Middle English mislike (“displeasure; hardship; sorrow; unpleasantness”), from mis- (prefix meaning ‘bad; badly; wrong; wrongly’, etc.) + like (“pleasure, will”) (from liken (“to give pleasure to, make happy, please; to be pleasant; to suit; (reflexive) to please oneself, take delight; (reflexive) to be pleased to do (something); to like; to approve of, be in favour of; to be delighted or pleased; to choose, want, wish”), from Old English līcian (verb): see further at etymology 1).
Etymology 3
From mis- (prefix meaning ‘bad; badly; wrong; wrongly’) + like (“similar”, adjective).