abominable

[uh-bom-uh-nuh-buhl]

adjective

1. repugnantly hateful; detestable; loathsome.

   an abominable crime.

   Synonyms: foul, revolting, horrible, abhorrent
   Antonyms: admirable, likable

2. very unpleasant; disagreeable.

   The weather was abominable last week.

   Synonyms: miserable
   Antonyms: delightful

3. very bad, poor, or inferior.

   They have abominable taste in clothes.

abominable

/ əˈbɒmɪnəbəl /

adjective

1. offensive; loathsome; detestable

2. informal,  very bad, unpleasant, or inferior

   abominable weather

   abominable workmanship

Other Word Forms

• abominableness noun
• abominably adverb
• superabominable adjective
• superabominableness noun
• superabominably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of abominable¹

1325–75; Middle English < Latin abōminābilis, equivalent to abōminā ( rī ) to pray to avert an eventuality, despise as a bad omen, abhor ( ab-, omen ) + -bilis -ble

Word History and Origins

Origin of abominable¹

C14: from Latin abōminābilis, from abōminārī to _abominate

Example Sentences

You’re more than allowed to believe him abominable, and maybe do some witchcraft so his hairline starts receding at an unprecedented rate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

While the families lived large with grand banquets and luxury cars, a culture of abominable violence thrived behind the walls of their scam compounds, Chinese authorities said.

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That would be admirable if it weren’t for the fact that most of his beliefs were abominable.

Read more on Salon

One abominable practice used on political adversaries was tarring and feathering.

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Something Just Like This, an abominable song on record, becomes a euphoric mini-rave on stage; while Fix You is simply majestic.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• abhorrent 
• atrocious 
• awful 
• contemptible 
• despicable 
• disgusting 
• heinous 
• horrible 
• horrid 
• odious 
• reprehensible 
• repugnant 
• repulsive 
• revolting 
• terrible 
• vile 
• wretched