abhorrence

noun

ab·​hor·​rence əb-ˈhȯr-ən(t)s 

-ˈhär-,

ab-

1

a

: the act or state of abhorring or despising something or someone

a crime regarded with abhorrence

b

: a feeling of strong repugnance or disgust : loathing

an abhorrence of war

2

: something regarded as repugnant or disgusting

Slavery is an abhorrence.

Synonyms

• abomination
• anathema
• antipathy
• aversion
• bête noire
• detestation
• execration
• hate

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 on the Web

To assume that liberalism is the only system that can justify or explain an abhorrence of bigotry is to ignore a wealth of moral traditions that are at least equally formative. —Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 3 July 2024

My reaction to Elon Musk's post was absolute abhorrence. —Nbc Universal, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2023

Nearly all of the lawmakers urging humanitarian considerations have included vociferous reiterations of their support for the Jewish state and their abhorrence of Hamas. —Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023

But enemies of Rustin within the civil-rights movement—among them Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., the Harlem congressman and power broker—were motivated by a genuine abhorrence of gay men. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

abhorr(ent) + -ence

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a