abhorrent
[ab-hawr-uh nt, -hor-]
- causing repugnance; detestable; loathsome: an abhorrent deed.
- utterly opposed, or contrary, or in conflict (usually followed by to): abhorrent to reason.
- feeling extreme repugnance or aversion (usually followed by of): abhorrent of waste.
- remote in character (usually followed by from): abhorrent from the principles of law.
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Origin of abhorrent
Synonyms
See more synonyms for abhorrent on Thesaurus.com1. shocking, abominable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for abhorrent
Contemporary Examples
But one description was abhorrent on a level far above politics: “Aspergery.”
To be clear, what Peterson (allegedly) did is abhorrent and almost beyond comprehension.
Adrian Peterson’s ‘Whooping’ and Ray Rice’s Knockout Are Both Domestic ViolenceRobert Silverman
September 13, 2014
In that interview, Paul made it a point to frequently note how he finds discrimination “abhorrent.”
But I have never met someone who actually confronts people for their abhorrent behavior after the workplace bullying is over.
Still, the whole thing is so abhorrent that hardly anyone is waiting for the tape to be verified.
Historical Examples
To defraud, to cheat, to wrong, had at one time been most abhorrent to her nature.
I am so eager to do well that the mere thought of failing is abhorrent.
War Letters of a Public-School BoyPaul Jones.
And her behavior, to a man to whom scenes were abhorrent, proved trying in the extreme.
The GeniusMargaret Horton Potter
As it was, his motives were as abhorrent, as his methods were foolish and contemptible.
My Bondage and My FreedomFrederick Douglass
To have done the deed, and yet not to reap the profit, would be too abhorrent a failure.
abhorrent
- repugnant; loathsome
- (when postpositive, foll by of) feeling extreme aversion or loathing (for)abhorrent of vulgarity
- (usually postpositive and foll by to) conflicting (with)abhorrent to common sense
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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
Word Origin and History for abhorrent
adj.
1610s, "in a position or condition to recoil," usually with from; from Latin abhorentem (nominative abhorrens), present participle of abhorrere; see abhor. Meaning "repugnant" is from 1650s. Earlier was abhorrable (late 15c.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper