abhorrent
Americanadjective
-
causing repugnance; detestable; loathsome.
an abhorrent deed.
- Synonyms:
- abominable, shocking
-
utterly opposed, or contrary, or in conflict (usually followed byto ).
abhorrent to reason.
-
feeling extreme repugnance or aversion (usually followed byof ).
abhorrent of waste.
-
remote in character (usually followed byfrom ).
abhorrent from the principles of law.
adjective
-
repugnant; loathsome
-
feeling extreme aversion or loathing (for)
abhorrent of vulgarity
-
conflicting (with)
abhorrent to common sense
Other Word Forms
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
Explanation
Many people find cruelty toward animals abhorrent, that is, they think it's detestable, obscene, repugnant, repulsive, and offensive to the mind. In other words, they really, really don't like it. When you think of abhorrent, think of horror, as in something so vile and loathsome that you can only react to it in horror. In fact, the word abhorrent in Latin means “to recoil (back away) in horror.” Note that the ending is spelled -ent with an e, not an a. Maybe the a found abhorrent so abhorrent that it didn’t want to appear in it a second time.
Vocabulary lists containing abhorrent
Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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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.
Blake’s motive, authorities said, was to win custody of his daughter from a woman whose lifestyle he found abhorrent.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
Devyn says, for example, it's "abhorrent" that women in Northern Ireland face lengthly waits for gynaecology appointments.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
The attacks were "sad and abhorrent", Ramaphosa said, adding that "we in South Africa deeply regret and mourn" the lives lost.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
"Any abuse of power is abhorrent, and it takes great courage and determination to speak up against it."
From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026
The latrines were so abhorrent that most people, Nepalese and Westerners alike, evacuated their bowels outside on the open ground, wherever the urge struck.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
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.
