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

Example Sentences

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

Spurs said the "conduct of a small number of fans" was "utterly abhorrent" and have issued them with banning orders.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

“Richard believes that Epstein’s actions were abhorrent and supports the right to justice for his many victims,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Sir Keir said he had been unaware of the "absolutely abhorrent" posts, which Mr Abd El Fattah has since apologised for, and that the government was reviewing the "information failures in this case".

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

But there was also something much deeper and more fundamentally abhorrent in the impact theory.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• despicable
• loathsome
• repulsive