Love vs. Hate — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 20, 2023
Love is an intense affectionate feeling towards someone or something, while hate is a strong aversion or intense dislike.
Difference Between Love and Hate
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Love and hate are potent emotions, each occupying opposite ends of the human emotional spectrum. Love often evokes feelings of warmth, protection, and attraction towards individuals, ideals, or objects. In contrast, hate emerges as a result of deep-seated animosity, repulsion, or resentment.
When someone experiences love, they're drawn towards the object of their affection, desiring closeness and understanding. Hate, on the other hand, repels individuals away, fostering division, and often leading to avoidance or conflict.
Love serves as a unifying force, often leading to collaboration, understanding, and mutual growth. It can inspire acts of kindness, sacrifice, and understanding. Conversely, hate divides, creating rifts and hostility, sometimes escalating to cruelty or violence.
Throughout history, the concepts of love and hate have been central themes in art, literature, and philosophy. While love is celebrated for its ability to heal, connect, and elevate human experience, hate is often warned against for its destructive potential.
In essence, love and hate, while universal, impact individuals differently. Love uplifts and nurtures, whereas hate diminishes and hurts, shaping human experiences and relationships in profound ways.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Nature of Emotion
Affectionate, positive
Aversive, negative
Effect on Relationships
Draws individuals closer
Pushes individuals apart
Typical Actions
Nurturing, supporting
Avoiding, harming
Impact on Well-being
Generally beneficial, uplifting
Can be detrimental, leading to stress
Representation in Media
Celebrated, seen as healing
Warned against, seen as destructive
Compare with Definitions
Love
An intense feeling of deep affection.
Her love for her family was evident in her every action.
Hate
A feeling of hostility or animosity.
The rivalry led to mutual hate between the two competitors.
Love
A strong preference or liking for something.
She had a love for classical music and attended concerts regularly.
Hate
A strong aversion.
She had a hate for broccoli since childhood.
Love
Selfless concern for the well-being of others.
His acts of charity showcased his love for humanity.
Hate
An antipathy or resentment.
His actions were driven by hate and envy.
Love
Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of meanings is that the love of a mother differs from the love of a spouse, which differs from the love of food.
Hate
To loathe or detest something.
I hate being late for appointments.
Love
A strong feeling of affection and concern toward another person, as that arising from kinship or close friendship.
Hate
To feel strong dislike for or hostility toward
Rivals who hate each other.
Love
A feeling of devotion or adoration toward God or a god.
Hate
To feel dislike or distaste for
Hates washing dishes.
Hates to get up early.
Love
A feeling of kindness or concern by God or a god toward humans.
Hate
To be disinclined (to do something) out of politeness or a need to apologize
I hate to interrupt, but can I ask you a quick question?.
Love
Often Love(Christianity) Charity.
Hate
To feel hatred.
Love
An instance of being in love
Teenage loves can be as fleeting as they are intense.
Hate
Intense animosity or dislike; hatred.
Love
A person for whom one has strong feelings of affection
She met her new love at the restaurant.
Hate
An object of hatred.
One of my pet hates is traffic wardens.
Love
Used as a term of endearment for such a person.
Hate
Hatred.
He gave me a look filled with pure hate.
Love
An intense emotional attachment to something, as to a pet or treasured object.
Hate
(Internet slang) Negative feedback, abusive behaviour.
There was a lot of hate in the comments on my vlog about Justin Bieber from his fans.
Love
An expression of one's affection
Send him my love.
Hate
(transitive) To dislike intensely or greatly.
Love
A strong predilection or enthusiasm
A love of language.
Love for the game of golf.
Hate
(intransitive) To experience hatred.
Do not fear; he who fears hates; he who hates kills. — attributed to Gandhi
Love
The object of such an enthusiasm
The outdoors is her greatest love.
Hate
To have a great aversion to, with a strong desire that evil should befall the person toward whom the feeling is directed; to dislike intensely; to detest; as, to hate one's enemies; to hate hypocrisy.
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer.
Love
Love(Mythology) Eros or Cupid.
Hate
To be very unwilling; followed by an infinitive, or a substantive clause with that; as, to hate to get into debt; to hate that anything should be wasted.
I hate that he should linger here.
Love
(Sports) A score of zero, as in tennis.
Hate
To love less, relatively.
Love
To feel love for (a person)
We love our parents. I love my friends.
Hate
Strong aversion coupled with desire that evil should befall the person toward whom the feeling is directed; as exercised toward things, intense dislike; hatred; detestation; - opposed to love.
For in a wink the false love turns to hate.
Love
To feel devotion to (God or a god).
Hate
The emotion of hate; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
Love
To feel or show kindness or concern to (a person). Used of God or a god.
Hate
Dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards;
I hate Mexican food
She detests politicians
Love
To have an intense emotional attachment to
Loves his house.
Hate
An intense or passionate dislike.
He had a deep-seated hate for injustice.
Love
To embrace or caress
They were loving each other on the sofa.
Love
To like or desire enthusiastically
Loves swimming.
Love
To thrive on; need
The cactus loves hot, dry air.
Love
(uncountable) A deep caring for the existence of another.
Love
(uncountable) Strong affection.
Love
A profound and caring affection towards someone.
A mother’s love is not easily shaken.
My husband’s love is the most important thing in my life.
Love
Affectionate, benevolent concern or care for other people or beings, and for their well-being.
Love
A feeling of intense attraction towards someone.
I have never been in love as much as I have with you.
Love
A deep or abiding liking for something; an enthusiasm for something.
My love of cricket knows no bounds.
Love
(countable) A person who is the object of romantic feelings; a darling, a sweetheart, a beloved.
Love
A term of friendly address, regardless of feelings.
Hello love, how can I help you?
Love
A thing, activity, etc. which is the object of one's deep liking or enthusiasm.
Love
An instance or episode of being in love; a love affair.
Love
Used as the closing, before the signature, of a letter, especially between good friends or family members, or by the young.
Love
(obsolete) A thin silk material.
Love
A climbing plant, Clematis vitalba.
Love
Zero, no score.
So that’s fifteen-love to Kournikova.
Love
Nothing; no recompense.
Love
To have a strong affection for (someone or something).
I love my spouse.
I love you!
I love that song!
Love
(transitive) To need, thrive on.
Mold loves moist, dark places.
Love
(transitive) To be strongly inclined towards something; an emphatic form of like.
I love walking barefoot on wet grass;
I'd love to join the team;
I love what you've done with your hair
Love
To care deeply about, to be dedicated to (someone or something).
Love
(transitive) To derive delight from a fact or situation.
I love the fact that the coffee shop now offers fat-free chai latte.
Love
A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preëminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness; as, the love of brothers and sisters.
Of all the dearest bonds we proveThou countest sons' and mothers' loveMost sacred, most Thine own.
Love
Courtship; - chiefly in the phrase to make love, i. e., to court, to woo, to solicit union in marriage.
Demetrius . . . Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena,And won her soul.
Love
Affection; kind feeling; friendship; strong liking or desire; fondness; good will; - opposed to hate; often with of and an object.
Love, and health to all.
Smit with the love of sacred song.
The love of science faintly warmed his breast.
Love
Due gratitude and reverence to God.
Keep yourselves in the love of God.
Love
The object of affection; - often employed in endearing address; as, he held his love in his arms; his greatest love was reading.
Open the temple gates unto my love.
Love
Cupid, the god of love; sometimes, Venus.
Such was his form as painters, when they showTheir utmost art, on naked Lores bestow.
Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw Love.
Love
A thin silk stuff.
Love
A climbing species of Clematis (Clematis Vitalba).
Love
Nothing; no points scored on one side; - used in counting score at tennis, etc.
He won the match by three sets to love.
Love
To have a feeling of love for; to regard with affection or good will; as, to love one's children and friends; to love one's country; to love one's God.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.
Love
To take delight or pleasure in; to have a strong liking or desire for, or interest in; to be pleased with; to like; as, to love books; to love adventures.
Wit, eloquence, and poetry.Arts which I loved.
Love
To have the feeling of love; to be in love.
Love
A strong positive emotion of regard and affection;
His love for his work
Children need a lot of love
Love
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
Love
A beloved person; used as terms of endearment
Love
A score of zero in tennis or squash;
It was 40 love
Love
Have a great affection or liking for;
I love French food
She loves her boss and works hard for him
Love
Get pleasure from;
I love cooking
Love
Be enamored or in love with;
She loves her husband deeply
Love
A feeling of warm personal attachment.
The bond of love between the siblings was unbreakable.
Love
A term of endearment.
Don't worry, love, everything will be alright.
Common Curiosities
Can hate lead to physical or mental health issues?
Yes, prolonged feelings of hate can lead to stress, anxiety, and other health concerns.
How is love typically portrayed in literature?
Love is often portrayed as a powerful, unifying force in literature.
What emotion is the opposite of love?
Hate is typically considered the opposite of love.
Is love always a positive feeling?
While love is generally positive, it can be complicated and sometimes accompanied by pain or jealousy.
Which emotion is typically seen as positive?
Love is generally seen as a positive emotion.
Are love and hate innate or learned emotions?
While there are biological bases for emotions, both love and hate can be influenced and shaped by personal experiences.
Are there different types of love?
Yes, love can be romantic, platonic, familial, or even based on shared experiences or interests.
Can love be unconditional?
Yes, some forms of love, like parental love, are often described as unconditional.
Can love be platonic?
Yes, love can be platonic, meaning it's non-romantic and based on deep friendship.
Can love and hate coexist in a person towards the same object or individual?
Yes, it's possible for someone to have mixed feelings of love and hate towards the same entity.
What can be the consequences of hate?
Hate can lead to division, conflict, violence, and emotional distress.
Is it possible to transform hate into love?
With understanding and empathy, it's possible to transform feelings of hate into love or at least acceptance.
How do hate crimes differ from other crimes?
Hate crimes target individuals based on race, religion, or other protected attributes, driven by prejudice.
Can hate be justified?
While feelings are valid, it's crucial to approach situations with understanding and avoid letting hate guide actions or decisions.
What can prolonged feelings of hate lead to?
Prolonged hate can lead to stress, strained relationships, and sometimes even physical harm.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Lynching vs. Hanging
Next Comparison
Level vs. MagnitudeAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
