abhorrent

American  

[ab-hawr-uhnt, -hor-] / æbˈhɔr ənt, -ˈhɒr- /

adjective

1. causing repugnance; detestable; loathsome.

   an abhorrent deed.

   Synonyms:

   abominable, shocking

2. utterly opposed, or contrary, or in conflict (usually followed byto ).

   abhorrent to reason.

3. feeling extreme repugnance or aversion (usually followed byof ).

   abhorrent of waste.

4. remote in character (usually followed byfrom ).

   abhorrent from the principles of law.

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abhorrent British  

/ əbˈhɒrənt /

adjective

1. repugnant; loathsome

2. feeling extreme aversion or loathing (for)

   abhorrent of vulgarity

3. conflicting (with)

   abhorrent to common sense

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Other Word Forms

• abhorrently adverb
• unabhorrently adverb

Etymology

Origin of abhorrent

First recorded in 1610–20, abhorrent is from the Latin word abhorrent- (stem of abhorrēns, present participle of abhorrēre ). See abhor, -ent

Explanation

Many people find cruelty toward animals abhorrent, that is, they think it's detestable, obscene, repugnant, repulsive, and offensive to the mind. In other words, they really, really don't like it. When you think of abhorrent, think of horror, as in something so vile and loathsome that you can only react to it in horror. In fact, the word abhorrent in Latin means “to recoil (back away) in horror.” Note that the ending is spelled -ent with an e, not an a. Maybe the a found abhorrent so abhorrent that it didn’t want to appear in it a second time.

Example Sentences

Sir Keir had said that antisemitism was "abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears", and that "everyone has a responsibility to ensure Britain is a place where Jewish people feel safe".

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

"Antisemitism in any form is abhorrent and must be confronted firmly wherever it appears," Sir Keir said.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

His abhorrent behavior is sadly too common across the restaurant industry, from the finest dining to the humblest street stalls.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

Pop icon Elton John on Friday accused the publisher of two UK tabloids of "abhorrent" privacy invasions "outside even the most basic standards of human decency" as he testified at London's High Court.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

The latrines were so abhorrent that most people, Nepalese and Westerners alike, evacuated their bowels outside on the open ground, wherever the urge struck.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• despicable
• loathsome
• repulsive