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 officials repeatedly reminded me that the First Amendment protects even the most abhorrent bigotry. —David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2024

Bell's rein and control over the women living at the Victory Inn was nothing short of abhorrent. —Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 26 July 2024

The alleged conduct and abhorrent comments made by Judge Ryan merited her removal from the Probate Court docket pending further investigation. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 Sep. 2024

The report, published by London’s The Times newspaper, found the teen was not picked up by his parents earlier this year at a court hearing after the Atlantis Leadership Academy was closed due to abhorrent conditions. —Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 6 Aug. 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