abhor

[ab-hawr]

verb (used with object)

abhorred, abhorring 

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

Other Word Forms

• abhorrer noun
• superabhor verb (used with object)

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

“We abhor and condemn antisemitism in any form,” the California Teachers Assn., wrote in a July letter to the state Senate Education Committee.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It is an astonishing, so to speak, over-the-top score, which you either love or abhor for its instrumental vulgarity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Political junkies, and the news outlets that service their needs, abhor a vacuum.

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In a statement, a UC spokesperson said the university “abhors antisemitism and is diligently working to address, counter and eradicate it in all its forms across the system.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Lineker said he had "stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues, and against all forms of racism all of my life, including, of course, antisemitism, which I absolutely abhor".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• despise 
• detest 
• hate 
• loathe 
• scorn