Abhorrent Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：repulsive (abhorrent)

abhorrent 🔊

/əˈbɔːrənt/

adj.

Something so bad and wrong that it makes you feel sick and angry inside.

Abhorrent reaction face showing disgust at cruelty to animals

repulsive 🔊

➕

/rɪˈpʌlsɪv/

adj.

Describes something so morally wrong or disgusting that it provokes strong feelings of hatred and aversion.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'abhorrere': 'ab-' (away) + 'horrere' (to tremble), meaning to shrink away in horror.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine 'a bore rent' — a boring person demanding rent is so annoying you abhor them.

📖 Example

The thought of animal cruelty is abhorrent to most people. 🔊 The thought of animal cruelty is abhorrent to most people.

🔗 Collocations

morally abhorrent – considered unacceptable from a moral standpoint

abhorrent behavior – actions that are deeply offensive and repulsive

find something abhorrent – to regard something with strong dislike or disgust

🔄 Synonyms

detestable (adj.) – deserving intense dislike; hateful

loathsome (adj.) – causing feelings of strong disgust or aversion

odious (adj.) – extremely unpleasant; repulsive and hateful

🚫 Antonyms

admirable (adj.) – arousing or deserving respect and approval

commendable (adj.) – deserving praise and recognition

laudable (adj.) – worthy of high praise or commendation

🌱 Derivatives

abhorrence (n.) – a feeling of strong disgust or hatred

abhor (v.) – to regard with disgust and hatred

abhorrently (adv.) – in a way that causes disgust or hatred

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'abhorrere' ('ab-' away + 'horrere' to shudder). Used since the 16th century to describe something that causes intense moral revulsion.