English Dictionary

Definition of “abhor

abhor (əbˈhɔːPronunciation for abhor

Definitions

verb

  1. (tr) to detest vehemently; find repugnant; reject

Alternative Forms

abˈhorrer noun

Word Origin

C15: from Latin abhorrēre  to shudder at, shrink from, from ab-  away from + horrēre to bristle, shudder

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= hate, loathe, despise, detest, shrink from shudder at recoil from be repelled by have an aversion to abominate, execrate, regard with repugnance or horror

Usage examples

  • Actions I abhor... carried out for reasons I consider immoral.
    various & introduction by Deirdre Chapman, A Roomful of Birds - Scottish short stories 1990 (1990)
  • The machines are kept running because you have raw materials waiting to be processed, and your managers abhor idle capacity.
    Business Today (1998)
  • Americans should abhor racism, in any form, for the same reason.
    SA Star (2005)
  • I am simply amazed that such a talented athlete could go so wrong and that he subjects himself to the scrutiny he claims to abhor.
    Times, Sunday Times (2002)
  • Never forget that you owe your reputation to the same thing you claim to abhor in me.
    Alma Alexander, THE SECRETS OF JIN-SHEI (2004)

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