Execrate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Execrated; p. pr. & vb. n. Execrating.]
Etymology: [L. execratus, exsecratus, p. p. of execrare, exsecrare, to execrate; ex out + sacer holy, sacred. See Sacred.]
To denounce evil against, or to imprecate evil upon; to curse; to protest against as unholy or detestable; hence, to detest utterly; to abhor; to abominate. "They . . . execrate their lct." Cowper.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists execrate only as an antonym, under admire.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given