abhorrence

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noun ab·hor·rence \əb-ˈhȯr-ən(t)s, -ˈhär-\

Definition of abhorrence

1a : the act or state of abhorring or despising something or someone a crime regarded with abhorrenceb : a feeling of strong repugnance or disgust : loathing an abhorrence of war
2 : something regarded as repugnant or disgusting Slavery is an abhorrence.

Examples of abhorrence in a Sentence

one of the changes in American society that remains a particular abhorrence of social conservatives
my firm abhorrence of all forms of hypocrisy

Recent Examples of abhorrence from the Web

Honda has made controlling volume simple with a dial on the center stack and an improved steering-wheel control, but the automaker’s abhorrence of buttons for tuning remains a mystery and a source of annoyance.

— mark phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Review: 2018 Honda Odyssey is a kid hauler with tricks and treats," 28 June 2017
Despite the president’s purported abhorrence for those within the government who leak news about the White House government to the press, nearly every story about the White House involves anonymous statements.

— maya kosoff, The Hive, "Trump Administration Officially Warns Americans Against Believing What They Read," 16 June 2017
Though Will’s abhorrence of Trump will go over well with those who spend their evenings with Chris Hayes, Rachel Maddow, and Lawrence O’Donnell, his opinions on topics such as climate change and rape probably won’t.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "George Will Is the Latest Conservative to Find a Home at MSNBC," 8 May 2017
The opposition to Trump is rooted in the law, and it is rooted in abhorrence of his politics.

— benjamin wallace-wells, The New Yorker, "Trump, Defeated Again on the Travel Ban, Is Still Trapped in His Campaign," 16 Mar. 2017
Like a fair number of Trumpists, Bauerlein holds some beliefs that might have been expected to incline him toward #NeverTrump-ism, including an abhorrence of vulgarity.

— kelefa sanneh, The New Yorker, "Intellectuals for Trump," 9 Jan. 2017
Like the tea parties, it was rooted in an abhorrence of taxation (with or without representation).

— clyde haberman, New York Times, "The California Voter Ordeal: 17 Decisions on the Ballot SEPT. 5, 2016," 16 Oct. 2016
In another episode, the congressman described his abhorrence of homosexuality.

— simon romero, New York Times, "Conservative’s Star Rises in Brazil as Polarizing Views Tap Into Discontent," 7 May 2016
But what is distinct is the way this push toward new technologies is matched with an abhorrence for the human body’s sheer squishy vulnerability in the face of steel and circuit.

— jake muncy, WIRED, "Call of Duty: Black Ops III’s New Twist? Seriously Brutal Body Horror," 13 Nov. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abhorrence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.