View synonyms for abhor

abhor

[ ab-hawr ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, ab·horred, ab·hor·ring.

to regard with extreme repugnance or aversion; detest utterly; loathe; abominate.
Synonyms: despise
Antonyms: admire, love

abhor

/ əbˈhɔː /

verb

tr to detest vehemently; find repugnant; reject

Discover More

Derived Forms

abˈhorrer, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

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

Discover More

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”

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of abhor¹

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

Discover More

Synonym Study

See hate.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Petitions poured into the office of Gov. Edmund “Pat” Brown, a Democrat who believed Chessman guilty but abhorred the death penalty on religious grounds.

From Los Angeles Times

He added, though, “I very much abhorred Jan. 6. There’s no cause for violence.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

Edward Bailey, for Ormond Skeaping, said the defendant was "against fascism", "abhors any form of racism" and had lost his employment at a bicycle company.

From BBC

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

From BBC

Related Words

abhominable abhorred

Browse