abhorrence

noun

ab·​hor·​rence əb-ˈhȯr-ən(t)s How to pronounce abhorrence (audio)
-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.

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The ambivalence of André and his parents was culturally unexceptional, but Simone’s abhorrence wasn’t. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for abhorrence 

Word History

Etymology

abhorr(ent) + -ence

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of abhorrence was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near abhorrence

Cite this Entry

“Abhorrence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abhorrence. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

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