ABHORRENCE Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

abhorrence

noun

əb-ˈhȯr-ən(t)s

Definition of abhorrence

as in detestation

something or someone that is hated one of the changes in American society that remains a particular abhorrence of social conservatives

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hatred

a very strong dislike my firm abhorrence of all forms of hypocrisy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of abhorrence Tolin doesn’t candy coat the animosity, helping children to understand how artists and Others continue to be misunderstood and how that lack of appreciation fuels abhorrence. — Natasha Gural, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025 What distinguishes the extreme far-left from the far-right, however, is an abhorrence for meaningless violence, death and terrorism — at least against people, anti-fascists and experts on the movement told USA TODAY. — Will Carless, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2025 The reactions from right-of-center publications divide into roughly four camps, aligning on a spectrum ranging from vocal approval to outright abhorrence. — Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 What distinguishes Michnik is his passion for dialogue, his abhorrence of revenge, and his willingness to find worth in his political adversaries. — Adam Michnik, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2011 See All Example Sentences for abhorrence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abhorrence

Noun

How Nelson is reformulated from one who feels desire to one who feels detestation (as well as shame for having desired) is the remarkable achievement of both the story and the storyteller and the system that requires it.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Feb. 2026
One of the most memorable chapters epitomizes her detestation for the ultra-wealthy and pompous intellectuals who rushed to rationalize her work.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 Jan. 2024

Definition of detestation

Noun

Hong Kong authorities defend the verdict Hong Kong leader John Lee said the alliance has long deliberately planted seeds of hatred against the party and the central government in society, and their acts endangered national security.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
But choices like Wintour’s silence the very people hurt by ethnic hatred.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of hatred

Noun

Blanche’s immediate predecessor, Pam Bondi, was ousted in April after failing to deliver successful prosecutions against the president’s political enemies.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Rather than law enforcement authorities like the Coast Guard having to seize a vessel under civil seizure laws, the Department of Defense, usually through military force, can seize an enemy vessel instead.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of enemy

Noun

The other is that Republicans’ antipathy towards vote-by-mail is waning.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
Alexander Kazakov | Afp | Getty Images That Russia and China are seen as ideologically aligned on many geopolitical issues, with each sharing a traditional antipathy and distrust towards the West, and Washington.

— Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 20 May 2026

Definition of antipathy

Noun

Online threats and hate aimed at players are unforgivable, and no upside can make up for that.

— Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Several speakers also discussed the role of community engagement in responding to incidents of hate, encouraging residents to continue building relationships across cultural and religious lines.

— Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of hate

Noun

It a thematic fit, and after nearly 200 episodes, there’s no doubting this team’s ability to deliver fresh, new abominations.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026
And that was before the abomination — three-parts Netflix advertising event and one-part baseball game — even happened.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026

Definition of abomination

Noun

Cage plays Roy, a gifted con artist with obsessive-compulsive disorder whose tics, phobias and elaborate rituals have turned his immaculate home into a fortress against the world.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Turns out that the star had quite the number of phobias to conquer.

— Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Definition of phobia

Noun

Eleanor’s view Warsh’s aversion to forward guidance will be harder to maintain with each speech like Friday’s.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Course material analyzes Parton’s relationship with feminism and her aversion to politics, among other topics.

— Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of aversion

Browse Nearby Words

abhorred

abhorrence

abhorrences

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Abhorrence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abhorrence. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of abhorrence

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes