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Abominate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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abominate

[ษ™หˆbษ‘ห.mษช.neษชt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

strong dislike

To abominate something means to intensely loathe or hate it. It is often used to express a strong aversion against certain actions, behaviors, or ideas. When someone abominates something, they feel disgusted by it to such a degree that it can impact their views or actions. This term often conveys a moral or ethical objection.

Synonyms

abhor, despise, detest, loathe.

Examples of usage

  • I abominate violence in any form.
  • She abominates the idea of cheating.
  • Many people abominate the practices of animal cruelty.
  • He abominates dishonesty and values integrity.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', the creature is abominated by society, highlighting themes of rejection and isolation.
  • The term is often used in poetry to express deep-seated aversions, allowing authors to convey intense emotions.
  • Famous works by writers like Charles Dickens utilize the concept to depict charactersโ€™ overt disdain for societal norms.

Psychology

  • Dislike, or abomination, can trigger a strong emotional response, often linked to fear or a sense of threat.
  • People may abominate certain behaviors that conflict with their moral beliefs, which can lead to social ostracism.
  • Understanding what we abominate can reveal values and priorities, as it often stems from personal experiences.

Cultural Usage

  • In various cultures, certain practices are abominated due to differing ethical views, emphasizing the subjectivity of morality.
  • The term often arises in discussions about social justice, where actions deemed harmful are abominated by advocates.
  • Political discourse frequently employs the term to express severe disagreement with policies or ideologies.

Pop Culture

  • Abomination is a common term in horror films, where monstrous characters evoke feelings of fear and disgust.
  • In video games, players often encounter 'abominable' creatures, representing ultimate foes that must be defeated.
  • Reality TV sometimes features instances of abomination as contestants express extreme dislike for each other's tactics.

Origin of 'abominate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'abominari', meaning 'to shun as an ill omen'.
  • It combines 'a-' (meaning away) with 'ominari' (to predict or foretell), suggesting a rejection of bad signs.
  • In the late 15th century, it appeared in English usage, often in the context of strong moral objection.

The word 'abominate' comes from the Latin 'abominari', which means 'to shun as an omen'. This Latin term is derived from 'ab-' (meaning 'away from') and 'ominari' (meaning 'to forebode' or 'to predict'). The root 'ominari' is connected to 'omen', which signifies a significant sign or portent. Abominate started to appear in English texts around the early 1600s, primarily in the context of a strong aversion or moral disgust. Its usage has remained consistent through the centuries, often found in literature and rhetoric to emphasize deep-seated dislike for a particular action or belief. Today, it's mainly used in more formal or literary contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,306, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.