abhorrent

adjective

ab·​hor·​rent əb-ˈhȯr-ənt How to pronounce abhorrent (audio)
-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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web But many Egyptians and historians say the racist slurs hurled online at Ms. James, while abhorrent, distract from the real issue. Vivian Yee, New York Times, 10 May 2023 The defendants weaponized the trial, using the n-word, expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler, calling for an all-White ethno-state and praising racist pseudoscience, espousing the kind of abhorrent rhetoric seldom seem in courtrooms. Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 3 Jan. 2023 Bellar, 24, was the last to speak, publicly apologizing for abhorrent remarks about the governor. Arkansas Online, 16 Dec. 2022 The abhorrent behavior described in the report requires clear and strong action. Brady Knox, Washington Examiner, 8 May 2023 The very idea would have been abhorrent. Roberto Calasso, Harper’s Magazine , 17 Aug. 2022 Mass shootings are abhorrent. Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 23 May 2022 The Burberry check, which was the target of a particularly abhorrent strain of classism in British pop culture throughout the ’00s, is here worn as a badge of honor; the ultimate expression, perhaps, of Twigs’s intention to revel in the style and sounds of her youth on Caprisongs. Liam Hess, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2022 Some are just abhorrent. Roy S. Johnson | Rjohnson@al.com, al, 17 Mar. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abhorrent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of abhorrent was in 1599

Dictionary Entries Near abhorrent

Cite this Entry

“Abhorrent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abhorrent. Accessed 27 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

abhorrent

adjective
ab·​hor·​rent əb-ˈhȯr-ənt How to pronounce abhorrent (audio)
-ˈhär-,
ab-
1
: causing or deserving strong dislike
2
: not agreeable : contrary
a notion abhorrent to their beliefs
abhorrently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on abhorrent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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