Unlike vs. Dislike — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 24, 2023
"Unlike" indicates dissimilarity or absence of resemblance; "Dislike" signifies a feeling of aversion or distaste.
Difference Between Unlike and Dislike
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Unlike" is primarily used as a preposition to highlight differences or contrasts between two entities. It denotes the absence of similarity or resemblance. On the other hand, "Dislike" is a verb and noun that conveys a negative sentiment or feeling towards something or someone. It implies aversion or distaste.
When using "Unlike" in a sentence, it's often to draw attention to a particular difference between two subjects. For instance, "Unlike apples, oranges have a thick skin." Conversely, "Dislike" communicates a more personal sentiment of aversion, such as "I dislike broccoli."
The word "Unlike" doesn't convey any emotional sentiment or personal preference; it merely states a factual difference. In contrast, "Dislike" inherently conveys a subjective opinion or feeling. It's an expression of personal preference.
Another distinction to be noted is in the grammatical usage. "Unlike" is majorly used as a preposition, while "Dislike" can function both as a verb and as a noun. For instance, "She dislikes the movie" (verb) and "His main dislike is loud music" (noun).
It's crucial to understand that while "Unlike" and "Dislike" may seem similar due to their prefixes, their meanings and usages in the English language are distinct. One indicates difference, and the other indicates aversion.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Primarily a preposition.
Can be both a verb and a noun.
Indicates
Dissimilarity or difference.
A feeling of aversion or distaste.
Usage in Sentence
Compares two entities.
Expresses negative sentiment.
Conveys Emotion
No emotional sentiment.
Conveys a personal sentiment or preference.
Example
"Unlike cats, dogs love water."
"I dislike rainy days."
Compare with Definitions
Unlike
Not resembling or similar to.
Unlike the previous version, this software is user-friendly.
Dislike
To regard with displeasure or aversion.
I dislike dishonesty in any form.
Unlike
Not typical or characteristic of.
Unlike him to be late without calling.
Dislike
A feeling of distaste or hostility.
Loud music is my biggest dislike.
Unlike
Not similar or alike.
Unlike my brother, I enjoy reading.
Dislike
An aversion or antipathy towards something.
His main dislike is waking up early.
Unlike
Different in nature or quality.
The climate here is unlike any I've experienced.
Dislike
To not be fond of or have a preference against.
She dislikes wearing hats.
Unlike
Not alike; different
For twins, they are very unlike.
Dislike
To have an unfavorable opinion of.
They dislike the new company policies.
Unlike
Not equal, as in amount.
Dislike
To regard with distaste or aversion.
Unlike
Different from; not like
She's unlike the rest of her family.
Dislike
An attitude or a feeling of distaste or aversion.
Unlike
Not typical of
It's unlike him not to call.
Dislike
An attitude or a feeling of distaste or aversion.
Unlike
Not like; dissimilar (to); having no resemblance.
The brothers are quite unlike each other.
Dislike
Something that a person dislikes (has or feels aversion to).
Tell me your likes and dislikes.
Unlike
Unequal.
They contributed in unlike amounts.
Dislike
(Internet) An individual vote showing disapproval of, or lack of support for, something posted on the Internet.
Unlike
(archaic) Not likely; improbable; unlikely.
Dislike
To displease; to offend. In third-person only.
Unlike
Differently from; not in a like or similar manner.
Dislike
(transitive) To have a feeling of aversion or antipathy towards; not to like.
Unlike
In contrast with; as opposed to.
Dislike
(Internet) To leave a vote to show disapproval of, or lack of support for, something posted on the Internet.
Rebecca Black's "Friday" video has gained notoriety for being one of the most disliked videos in YouTube history.
Unlike
Not typical of one's character or personality.
Being late is unlike him.
Dislike
To regard with dislike or aversion; to disapprove; to disrelish.
Every nation dislikes an impost.
Unlike
Something that is not like something else; something different.
Dislike
To awaken dislike in; to displease.
Unlike
(internet) The act of withdrawing one's like from a post on social media.
Dislike
A feeling of positive and usually permanent aversion to something unpleasant, uncongenial, or offensive; disapprobation; repugnance; displeasure; disfavor; - the opposite of liking or fondness.
God's grace . . . gives him continual dislike to sin.
The hint malevolent, the look oblique,The obvious satire, or implied dislike.
We have spoken of the dislike of these excellent women for Sheridan and Fox.
His dislike of a particular kind of sensational stories.
Unlike
To dislike.
Dislike
Discord; dissension.
Unlike
(internet) To withdraw support for a particular thing, especially on social networking websites.
I unliked the post after I found out the author was racist.
Dislike
An inclination to withhold approval from some person or group
Unlike
Not like; dissimilar; diverse; having no resemblance; as, the cases are unlike.
Dislike
A feeling of aversion or antipathy;
My dislike of him was instinctive
Unlike
Not likely; improbable; unlikely.
Dislike
Have or feel a dislike or distaste for;
I really dislike this salesman
Unlike
Not like; marked by dissimilarity;
For twins they are very unlike
People are profoundly different
Unlike
Not equal in amount;
They distributed unlike (or unequal) sums to the various charities
Unlike
Distinguished from or not resembling.
Unlike most birds, penguins can't fly.
Common Curiosities
Does "Dislike" always indicate a strong negative sentiment?
Not necessarily; "Dislike" can range from mild aversion to strong antipathy.
Can "Dislike" be used as a noun?
Yes, "Dislike" can be both a verb and a noun indicating aversion.
Is "Unlike" primarily a verb or preposition?
"Unlike" is primarily used as a preposition.
What does "Dislike" mean when used as a noun?
As a noun, "Dislike" refers to a feeling of distaste or aversion.
Can "Dislike" be used to describe feelings towards people?
Yes, one can "dislike" a person, indicating a negative sentiment towards them.
Does "Unlike" have emotional connotations?
No, "Unlike" simply states a factual difference without emotional connotations.
Can "Unlike" compare more than two entities?
While it's most commonly used to compare two entities, it can be used in contexts comparing more.
Is "Unlike" used to indicate similarities?
No, "Unlike" is used to highlight differences or contrasts.
Is "Unlike" used to express personal feelings?
No, "Unlike" indicates dissimilarity without conveying personal emotions.
How is "Unlike" different from "Dissimilar"?
Both indicate difference, but "Unlike" is a preposition, while "Dissimilar" is an adjective.
Does "Unlike" always indicate total dissimilarity?
No, "Unlike" can indicate a specific difference, not necessarily total dissimilarity.
Can "Dislike" be used in formal writing?
Yes, "Dislike" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.
Can you "Dislike" an action?
Yes, you can "dislike" both tangible things and intangible actions or concepts.
Is it correct to say, "I unlike this post" on social media?
No, the correct term for social media is "unlike" as a verb, but it's a different context from the prepositional use.
Can "Dislike" indicate a neutral feeling?
No, "Dislike" inherently indicates a negative sentiment.
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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.
