abhor

[ ab-hawr ]

verb (used with object)

, ab·horred, ab·hor·ring.

1. to regard with extreme repugnance or aversion; detest utterly; loathe; abominate.

   Synonyms: despise

   Antonyms: admire, love

abhor

/ əbˈhɔː /

verb

1. tr to detest vehemently; find repugnant; reject

Derived Forms

• abˈhorrer, noun

Other Words From

• ab·hor·rer noun
• su·per·ab·hor verb (used with object) superabhorred superabhorring

Word History and Origins

Origin of abhor¹

First recorded before 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin abhorrēre “to shrink back from, shudder at,” equivalent to ab- ab- + horrēre “to bristle, tremble”

Word History and Origins

Origin of abhor¹

C15: from Latin abhorrēre to shudder at, shrink from, from ab- away from + horrēre to bristle, shudder

Synonym Study

See hate.

Example Sentences

Yet because the Republican Party's ideology cannot abide acknowledging the reality of anthropogenic global warming, successful mRNA vaccines and transgender identities, they instead encourage the general public to abhor both scientific literacy and the professionals who advance the frontiers of human knowledge.

From Salon

“We abhor and condemn all incidents like this in the strongest terms and continue to support Police Scotland with their ongoing investigation.”

From BBC

Nobody seems to have language to say: We abhor, reject, repudiate, and punish all political violence, even as we maintain that Trump remains himself a promoter of such violence, a subverter of American institutions, and the very opposite of everything decent and patriotic in American life.

From Salon

Spanish fans, who abhor dull football, have bought into it.

From BBC

The president also cited his father as the one who taught him to abhor the abuse of power.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• despise
• detest
• hate
• loathe
• scorn