Abhor Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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abhor

[əbˈhɔː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

strong feeling

to regard with disgust or hatred; to loathe; to detest

Synonyms

despise, detest, hate, loathe.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
abhor	Used to express a deep, often moral or ethical, revulsion. Typically, it reflects a strong detestation or aversion towards something considered deeply wrong or offensive. I abhor violence in any form. She abhors cruelty to animals.
detest	Conveys a strong dislike or hatred, often without the moral or ethical connotations that 'abhor' carries. It's commonly used in everyday contexts. I detest waking up early. She detests seafood.
despise	Implies looking down on someone or something as inferior or worthless. It's often used in contexts where the feeling of disapproval is coupled with disdain. He despises people who are dishonest. She despises doing the chores.
loathe	Indicates a deep-seated, intense aversion or disgust, often stronger than 'detest' and 'despise'. It carries a sense of repugnance. He loathes doing taxes. She loathes the taste of spinach.
hate	A very strong word used to express intense dislike or animosity towards someone or something. It can be used broadly and in both serious or casual situations. I hate when people are late. They hate each other ever since the incident.

Examples of usage

She abhors the sight of blood.
He abhors violence in any form.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

formal

to reject something very strongly

Synonyms

reject, repudiate, shun.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
abhor	Expresses strong hatred or disgust for something. She abhors violence in any form. He abhors the way people treat animals in the factory farms.
reject	Expresses refusal to accept, consider, or submit to something. The committee decided to reject the proposal. She rejected his offer to help with a polite but firm 'no'.
repudiate	Formally and strongly denies or refuses something, often used in legal or official contexts. The politician chose to repudiate the controversial statements made by his campaign staff. He repudiated the accusations of fraud during the interview.
shun	Deliberately avoids or keeps away from something or someone, often because of disapproval. After the scandal, colleagues and friends began to shun him. She decided to shun social media to focus on her mental health.

Examples of usage

The government abhors any form of discrimination.
She abhors the idea of war.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Human beings often abhor actions that go against their moral values, indicating how deeply personal beliefs can shape emotions.
The feeling of abhorrence can activate a strong emotional response, triggering basic survival instincts like avoiding harmful situations.
Abhorrence can also be linked with the concept of disgust, affecting how people perceive different stimuli, including social interactions.

Literature

Shakespeare frequently used 'abhor' in his plays to express characters' strong feelings of dislike or horror towards certain actions or traits.
In literature, characters may express abhorrence to highlight moral dilemmas, showcasing their internal conflicts and values.
The term has appeared in various works over centuries, illustrating the powerful nature of strong disapproval or hate in human experiences.

Cultural Reflections

Abhorrence is often portrayed in movies and books, where protagonists may abhor evil actions or characters, creating a strong moral contrast.
In many cultures, the act of abhorring certain behaviors can lead to social stigma, influencing community norms and personal relationships.
Public figures may evoke feelings of abhor in their speeches, leveraging the emotion to rally support or condemn actions in society.

Pop Culture

The word 'abhor' tends to be more common in formal speech or writing, but it has been used in songs and movies to emphasize themes of rejection and disdain.
Popular media sometimes uses 'abhor' in comedic contexts, contrasting serious topics with exaggerated dislike for humorous effect.
Contemporary literature, especially in dystopian genres, often uses 'abhor' to shape characters' responses to oppressive systems, deepening readers' engagement.

Origin of 'abhor'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'abhorrere,' which means 'to shrink back from' or 'to shudder at.'
In the early 15th century, 'abhor' was introduced into English with a similar meaning, referring to a strong dislike.
It combines the prefix 'ab-' meaning 'away from' and 'horrere' meaning 'to tremble' in Latin.

The word 'abhor' originated from the Middle English word 'abhoren', which in turn came from the Old English word 'abhorian'. The prefix 'ab-' means 'away', and 'horian' is related to 'hore', meaning 'filth'. Therefore, 'abhor' originally meant 'to shrink back with horror, to regard with extreme repugnance'. Over time, the meaning evolved to its current form of 'to regard with disgust or hatred'.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,923, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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21921 brooch
21922 slackened
21923 abhor
21924 unopposed
21925 violator
21926 oxidant
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