abhorrent

[ab-hawr-uhnt, -hor-]

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.

abhorrent

/ əbˈhɒrənt /

adjective

1. repugnant; loathsome

2. feeling extreme aversion or loathing (for)

   abhorrent of vulgarity

3. conflicting (with)

   abhorrent to common sense

Other Word Forms

• abhorrently adverb
• unabhorrently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of abhorrent¹

First recorded in 1610–20, abhorrent is from the Latin word abhorrent- (stem of abhorrēns, present participle of abhorrēre ). See abhor, -ent

Example Sentences

In a statement, the embassy said: "That such an act of violence should be perpetrated on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, in a place of prayer and community, is abhorrent and deeply distressing."

From BBC

“We are a city of immigrants. We understand that 50% of our city is Latino, and the idea that Latinos would be targeted is abhorrent.”

From Los Angeles Times

In an emotional video posted to his millions of followers, Withers said gun violence "is always disgusting, always vile and always abhorrent".

From BBC

The Law Society of Kenya has described the killing as "abhorrent" and said the crime must be "dealt with swiftly and conclusively".

From BBC

"We find Lake's continued attacks on our agency abhorrent," they said in a statement to the BBC's US partner CBS News.

From BBC

Related Words

• despicable 
• loathsome 
• repulsive