abhorrence

[ ab-hawr-uhns, -hor- ]

noun

1. a feeling of extreme repugnance or aversion; utter loathing; abomination.

   Synonyms: detestation, execration

2. something or someone extremely repugnant or loathsome.

abhorrence

/ əbˈhɒrəns /

noun

1. a feeling of extreme loathing or aversion
2. a person or thing that is loathsome

Other Words From

• self-ab·horrence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abhorrence¹

First recorded in 1650–60; abhorr(ent) + -ence

Example Sentences

It had everything to do with the public’s interest in the news and the First Amendment’s abhorrence of prior restraints.

From Slate

In general, we can say that police harbor a kind of natural abhorrence of protest because it's disorderly and policing is about the production of social order.

From Salon

The consultation which led to its introduction was supported, for example, by the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities which said that it enabled "society to signal its abhorrence of prejudice and hatred against identifiable groups."

From BBC

Both said it would depend on contextual factors, such as whether it was directed at a specific person or group—an answer that has been defended by free-speech advocates but criticized by others for failing to express sufficient abhorrence of anti-Jewish bigotry.

From Slate

And instead of responding to questions about calls for genocide with clear denunciations, they instead offered up stiff replies, moderate defenses of free speech, and legalistic statements about their own abhorrence of certain terms.

From Slate