Who is an Odious Woman?
The phrase "odious woman" means a woman who is extremely unpleasant, hateful, or repulsive.
The word "odious" itself means causing or deserving hatred or strong dislike, and it can describe a person whose behaviour or character makes them detestable to others.
In detail:
Odious is a strong word. It doesn’t just mean "bad" or "unpleasant" — it suggests something that morally repels people, like deeply selfish, cruel, or shameless behavior.
When we say "odious woman," it is usually used to criticize a woman’s attitude, character, or actions, not her physical appearance.
Example usage
"The novel describes the stepmother as an odious woman who tormented the children without mercy."
"Everyone in the village avoided her because she was known as an odious woman who delighted in causing trouble."
In a moral or biblical context
Sometimes, especially in older literature or religious writings, "odious woman" is used to describe a woman who is proud, disrespectful, quarrelsome, or shameless — for example, Proverbs 30:23 in the Bible says:
> "For an odious woman when she is married…"
Here, it refers to a woman who is hateful in her ways but now in a position of influence (as a wife), which can be even more troubling.
