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

Bass blasts ‘abhorrent’ violence outside L.A. synagogue during protest, beefs up LAPD patrols. —Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2024

There are some human value structures in which this whole approach is abhorrent. —Benji Jones, Vox, 19 June 2024

And although Trump’s willingness to cut off assistance to Ukraine is abhorrent to many, there is a potent populism to it. —Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2024

An ultrasound sonogram scientifically shows that the fetus is a live human being, and it therefore can not be denied that terminating that baby in the womb is morally (and religiously) wrong and abhorrent. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 15 June 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