Abhorrent Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🤢

Add to dictionary

abhorrent

[əbˈhɒrənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

Causing repugnance; detestable; loathsome. Abhorrent behavior is behavior that is extremely unpleasant, offensive, or repulsive.

Synonyms

detestable, loathsome, offensive, repugnant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
abhorrent	Used to describe something that causes strong disgust or hatred, often because it goes against moral or ethical values. The idea of animal cruelty is absolutely abhorrent to me. His abhorrent behavior was condemned by everyone present.
repugnant	Typically used in formal contexts to describe something that is deeply distasteful or unacceptable. It often implies moral or ethical objection. The politician's repugnant views on minorities were widely criticized. I find the idea of cheating in any form repugnant.
detestable	Often used when expressing a deep personal hatred or dislike for something or someone. It has a more personal touch than 'abhorrent'. Lying to friends is a detestable act. He had a detestable habit of bragging about his achievements.
loathsome	This term describes something that causes a feeling of intense disgust, revulsion, or hatred. It is stronger in emotion and often visualized. The loathsome smell from the garbage made me feel sick. He is a loathsome character in the story, filled with deceit and malice.
offensive	Used to indicate something that hurts people's feelings, violates societal norms, or is considered disrespectful. It can be used in both mild and strong contexts. His remarks were extremely offensive to the audience. Wearing such a costume can be offensive to some cultural groups.

Examples of usage

His abhorrent actions towards animals led to his arrest.
She found his behavior abhorrent and decided to cut ties with him.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

idea

In conflict; contradictory; inconsistent. Abhorrent ideas are ideas that are completely opposed or conflicting with each other.

Synonyms

conflicting, contradictory, inconsistent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
abhorrent	Use this word to express strong disgust or repulsion towards something, typically because it is morally wrong or unacceptable. His behavior is absolutely abhorrent to everyone in the office. The idea of animal cruelty is abhorrent to me.
conflicting	Use this word when referring to situations, ideas, or interests that are in opposition or disagree with each other. The two reports gave conflicting results. She felt conflicting emotions about the move.
contradictory	This word is used when two or more facts, statements, or actions are opposed or go against each other, often making them unable to both be true or right. His statements are contradictory and hard to believe. The data presented in the two studies are contradictory.
inconsistent	This term is used when something lacks consistency or stability, often referring to behavior, actions, or evidence that does not stay the same throughout. Her work performance has been inconsistent lately. The weather in this region is highly inconsistent.

Examples of usage

The proposal was abhorrent to everything they believed in.
His views on politics were considered abhorrent by many.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Feelings of abhorrence can be linked to moral disgust, often evoking strong emotional responses to violations of social norms.
Humans have a natural tendency to feel abhorrence towards harmful behaviors, which can be crucial for social cohesion.
Research shows that abhorrence can serve as a protective mechanism, encouraging individuals to avoid harmful substances or behaviors.

Literature

Abhorrent themes are commonly explored in classic literature, often embodying the conflict between morality and societal taboos.
Many poets and novelists use the concept of abhorrence to convey deep emotional struggles, as seen in works addressing social injustices.
Famous authors like Mary Shelley in 'Frankenstein' illustrate abhorrence by highlighting the monstrous versus the humane.

Pop Culture

Popular movies often explore feelings of abhorrence through horror films, making viewers confront their fears.
In recent television shows, characters expressing abhorrence provide dramatic tension, highlighting human emotional conflicts.
Songs dealing with themes of hate and disgust often use 'abhorrent' to describe feelings towards relationships or social issues.

Political Discourse

The term is frequently used in political rhetoric to describe policies or actions seen as morally reprehensible.
Activists often label certain actions as abhorrent to mobilize public opinion against injustices or harmful practices.
In debates, labeling an idea as 'abhorrent' can be a powerful tool to sway audience emotions and opinions.

Origin of 'abhorrent'

Main points about word origin

This word comes from the Latin 'abhorrere', which means to shudder away from something.
The prefix 'ab-' means away from, and 'horreo' means to tremble or shudder.
In the English language, it has been used since the 15th century to describe feelings of revulsion.

The word 'abhorrent' originated from the Latin word 'abhorrere', which means 'to shrink back in horror'. It entered the English language in the 17th century. Over time, 'abhorrent' has retained its meaning of causing repugnance or detestable, reflecting a strong sense of dislike or aversion towards something.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,329, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
23326 scabbard
23327 lodgers
23328 legislating
23329 abhorrent
23330 averting
23331 legalization
23332 fixedly
...