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Synonyms

abominable

American  
[uh-bom-uh-nuh-buhl] / əˈbɒm ə nə bəl /

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 British  
/ əˈbɒmɪnəbəl /

adjective

  1. offensive; loathsome; detestable

  2. informal very bad, unpleasant, or inferior

    abominable weather

    abominable workmanship

"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

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of abominable

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

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.

Maybe it is plainly shameful to sit idly by, waiting for the police to peel back more layers of abominable detail, so it can be quickly disseminated to a hungry audience.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

That small and privileged group—limited to 12 members—excused his abominable manners and believed in his talent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 17, 2025

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

From Salon • Nov. 5, 2025

Jane, I will not trouble you with abominable details: some strong words shall express what I have to say.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë