abhor
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Synonym Usage
See hate.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has abhorredperfect 3rd person singular
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have abhorredperfect
-
are abhorringprogressive
-
am abhorringprogressive 1st person singular
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abhorssingular 3rd person
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abhorringparticiple
-
is abhorringprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been abhorringperfect progressive
-
has been abhorringperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
-
had abhorredperfect
-
was abhorringprogressive singular
-
had been abhorringperfect progressive
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abhorredparticiple
-
were abhorringprogressive plural
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abhorredsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of abhor
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”
Explanation
If you abhor something, it gives you a feeling of complete hatred. Chances are you abhor that kid who used to torture the frogs in biology class. Abhor is from Latin abhorrere — "to shrink back in horror." It is the strongest way in English to express hatred, even stronger than loathe. We only use abhor in formal contexts; you might say "I abhor that man," but you would be less likely to say "I abhor spinach" unless you tend to express yourself in highfalutin terms no matter what the occasion.
Vocabulary lists containing abhor
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
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Grade 9, List 1
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Romeo and Juliet
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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.
Abhor the message, not the messenger, Mr. Otoo advises.
From New York Times • Apr. 29, 2022
In Chapter 4, “News Media Abhor a Vacuum,” Mr. Sitrick lays out one of his key tenets: that strategic press representatives must engage the media; “no comment” should never be a first resort.
From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2018
These are the product Of those ill-mated marriages thou sawest; Where good with bad were matched, who of themselves Abhor to join; and, by imprudence mixed, Produce prodigious births of body or mind.
From Paradise Lost by Milton, John
God warns: "Abhor evil," learn to hate it, pray to hate it.
From "Say Fellows—" Fifty Practical Talks with Boys on Life's Big Issues by Smith, Wade C.
I Abhor this marriage, more than you desire it.
From The Comedies of Terence by Colman, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
