abhorrent

adjective

ab·​hor·​rent əb-ˈhȯr-ənt 

-ˈhär-,

ab-

1

: causing or deserving strong dislike or hatred : being so repugnant as to stir up positive antagonism

acts abhorrent to every right-minded person

2

: not agreeable : contrary

a notion abhorrent to their philosophy

3

a

: feeling or showing strong dislike or hatred

b

archaic : strongly opposed

abhorrently adverb

Synonyms

• abominable
• appalling
• awful
• disgusting
• distasteful
• dreadful
• evil
• foul
• fulsome
• gross
• hideous
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrid
• loathsome
• nasty
• nauseating
• nauseous
• noisome
• noxious
• obnoxious
• obscene
• odious
• offensive
• rancid
• repellent
• repellant
• repugnant
• repulsive
• revolting
• scandalous
• shocking
• sickening
• ugly

Examples of abhorrent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The alternative is a future too abhorrent for even the most dystopian imaginations at WIRED to contemplate. —Katie Drummond, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024

No matter how obscure the source or abhorrent the story, incendiary headlines, rigged algorithms and planted comments are standard. —Lauren Coulman, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

While many may see this abhorrent, Stenton tries to put himself in the shoes of the crew members who were trying to survive. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024

To pay more than a shirt was worth for status was abhorrent, alien to my parents. —Melissa Febos, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin abhorrent-, abhorrens, present participle of abhorrēre "to abhor"

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Kids Definition

abhorrent

adjective

ab·​hor·​rent əb-ˈhȯr-ənt 

-ˈhär-,

ab-

1

: causing or deserving strong dislike

2

: not agreeable : contrary

a notion abhorrent to their beliefs

abhorrently adverb