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Synonyms

abhorrence

American  
[ab-hawr-uhns, -hor-] / æbˈhɔr əns, -ˈhɒr- /

noun

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

    Synonyms:
    detestation, execration
  2. something or someone extremely repugnant or loathsome.


abhorrence British  
/ əbˈhɒrəns /

noun

  1. a feeling of extreme loathing or aversion

  2. a person or thing that is loathsome

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • self-abhorrence noun

Etymology

Origin of abhorrence

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

The vote confounded critics of O'Connor, who had previously expressed her personal abhorrence of abortion.

From BBC

After an international outcry, the man, Ahmad Alush, told reporters that his intention had not been to burn the scriptures but to underscore the abhorrence of such acts.

From New York Times

He continued to voice concerns about religious freedom for Christians in Muslim lands, and to express abhorrence of any violence committed in the name of God.

From New York Times