Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Causing disgust or hatred; repugnant: "Abhorrent" describes something that is extremely offensive, shocking, or morally repulsive to one's mind or feelings.
   • Completely opposed or contrary to: In formal or literary use, it can describe something that is utterly incompatible with or contrary to a principle, rule, or feeling.

Usage

• The adjective "abhorrent" is used to express a strong feeling of moral outrage or physical disgust. It is a formal word.
• It is typically followed by the preposition "to" when describing what is disgusted (e.g., ).
• In older or very formal contexts, it can be followed by "of" (meaning feeling disgust for) or "from" (meaning contrary to).

Examples

• Basic Usage:

  • Racism is abhorrent to all decent people. (The idea or practice of racism causes disgust in decent people.)
  • The terrorist's actions were abhorrent. (The actions were morally repugnant.)
  • I find his views on human rights utterly abhorrent. (His views provoke a feeling of strong disgust in me.)

• Formal/Literary Usage (contrary to):

  • Such violence is abhorrent to the principles of democracy. (Violence is completely opposed to democratic principles.)
  • Conduct abhorrent from the spirit of the law. (Behavior that is contrary to the intended meaning of the law.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be abhorrent of something": (Archaic/Formal) To feel disgust or loathing for something.

  • He was abhorrent of cruelty in any form. (He felt a deep loathing for cruelty.)

• "to hold something abhorrent": To consider something disgusting or repugnant.

  • The community holds such dishonesty abhorrent. (The community considers dishonesty of that kind to be repugnant.)

Variants and Related Words

• Abhor (verb): To regard with disgust and hatred.
  • She abhors any form of injustice.
• Abhorrence (noun): A feeling of revulsion or disgust.
  • She looked at the crime scene with abhorrence.

Synonyms

• Repugnant: Extremely distasteful; unacceptable.
• Repulsive: Arousing intense distaste or disgust.
• Detestable: Deserving intense dislike.
• Loathsome: Causing hatred or disgust; repulsive.
• Odious: Extremely unpleasant; repulsive.

Antonyms

• Admirable: Deserving respect and approval.
• Commendable: Deserving praise.
• Pleasing: Giving a feeling of satisfaction or enjoyment.
• Acceptable: Able to be agreed on; suitable.

Idioms and Phrases

• Abhorrent to the senses: So unpleasant it causes physical disgust.
  • The smell from the chemical spill was abhorrent to the senses.
• Morally abhorrent: Deeply offensive to ethical principles.
  • Slavery is now universally considered morally abhorrent.

Adjective

1. offensive to the mind
   • an abhorrent deed
   • the obscene massacre at Wounded Knee
   • morally repugnant customs
   • repulsive behavior
   • the most repulsive character in recent novels