abhorrent

adjective

ab·​hor·​rent əb-ˈhȯr-ənt 

-ˈhär-, 

ab-

1

: causing or deserving strong dislike or hatred : being so repugnant as to stir up positive antagonism

acts abhorrent to every right-minded person

2

: not agreeable : contrary

a notion abhorrent to their philosophy

3

a

: feeling or showing strong dislike or hatred

b

archaic : strongly opposed

abhorrently adverb

Synonyms of abhorrent

• disgusting
• awful
• horrible
• ugly
• sickening
• hideous
• shocking
• obnoxious
• obscene
• offensive
• dreadful

Examples of abhorrent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As abhorrent as these events were, what makes the situation worse — and what people are only now starting to talk about — is that Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agents are almost entirely immune from criminal and civil accountability. —Brian Kolp, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026

The killing and execution of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the horrible lies perpetuated by this government are abhorrent. —Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026

What our country is doing is abhorrent and untenable. —Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026

What an abhorrent signing this has turned out to be. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin abhorrent-, abhorrens, present participle of abhorrēre "to abhor"

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Rhymes for abhorrent

• torrent
• warrant

Kids Definition

abhorrent

adjective

ab·​hor·​rent əb-ˈhȯr-ənt 

-ˈhär-, 

ab-

1

: causing or deserving strong dislike

2

: not agreeable : contrary

a notion abhorrent to their beliefs

abhorrently adverb