abomination

American  

[uh-bom-uh-ney-shuhn] / əˌbɒm əˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

• abominations
  plural

1. anything abominable; anything greatly disliked or abhorred.

2. intense aversion or loathing; detestation.

   He regarded lying with abomination.

   Synonyms:

   hatred

3. a vile, shameful, or detestable action, condition, habit, etc..

   Spitting in public is an abomination.

   Synonyms:

   depravity, corruption

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abomination British  

/ əˌbɒmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. a person or thing that is disgusting

2. an action that is vicious, vile, etc

3. intense loathing

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• self-abomination
  noun
• superabomination
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• abominations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of abomination

1350–1400; Middle English ab ( h ) ominacioun < Late Latin abōminātiōn- (stem of abōminātiō ). See abominate, -ion

Explanation

The noun abomination means a thing or action that is vile, vicious or terrible. For example, if you see a neighbor kick an old blind dog that's done nothing wrong, you might remark, "That kind of cruelty is an abomination!" The word abomination comes from the Old French word abominacion, meaning "horror, repugnance, disgust." The word abomination can also be used to refer to a person or object you find utterly loathsome and repellent. If you look at someone else as an abomination, that means you are horrified by them, and barely even think they're human. If you hear a friend describing you as an abomination behind your back, you need to find a new buddy right away!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

abomination abominations

“Hollywood’s New Vandalism,” they called it, placing the blame for this creative abomination on two of the main companies leading the charge — and one man, Ted Turner.

From Salon ● May 8, 2026

For anyone who has seen this abomination up close, the conclusion is unbearable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

“People who collect patterned glass think this is an abomination because it’s not in its original state. That’s ridiculous. I love it.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2025

There is no shortage of critics of the plan, not least Trump's former ally Elon Musk, who has called it a "disgusting abomination".

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2025

Once or twice it reared its head straight up, as if appealing to heaven—the abomination of the moment was perfectly expressed.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Over the decades, they have produced classics such as “Exile on Main St.” and “Some Girls,” mediocrity like “Steel Wheels,” and abominations such as “Dirty Work.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026

Target’s collection, on the other hand, is one of the most ghastly sartorial abominations ever made, let alone sold for real money.

From Salon ● Apr. 20, 2026

Inside the church, services are held as abominations are uncovered outside.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 10, 2022

“If your mental image of a doctor binding books in human skin is that of a lone mad scientist, toiling away in a creepy basement creating abominations, that would be understandable,” she writes.

From New York Times ● Oct. 20, 2020

She could taste their rage at Wick’s abominations, distinguish each soul’s flickering memories as they buzzed through the air.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older