abhorrent
gb/æbhˈɔɹənt/ us/æbhˈɔɹənt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
morally disgusting; hateful
Extremely bad in a moral way; disgusting.
Usage pattern:
[something] is abhorrent
Common mistake:
Often confused with "aberrant" (meaning unusual or abnormal), which is unrelated.
Synonyms
repugnant (Close in meaning; often emphasizes strong disgust.)
|
despicable (Highlights moral contempt more than disgust.)
|
heinous (Common with serious crimes; more legal/moral condemnation.)
|
loathsome (More vivid and emotional; slightly more literary.)
Antonyms
admirable (Worthy of respect or praise rather than disgust.)
|
acceptable (Permitted or tolerable; not strongly condemned.)
Collocations
abhorrent behavior
|abhorrent acts
|an abhorrent crime
|an abhorrent practice
|abhorrent cruelty
|abhorrent violence
|abhorrent racism
|abhorrent treatment
|morally abhorrent
|truly abhorrent
Themes
emotions
|ethics
|society
Examples
- The report documented abhorrent abuses against prisoners.
- Most people agree that torturing animals is abhorrent.
- She called the hateful comments abhorrent and refused to repeat them.
Learner examples
- Racism is abhorrent.
- They described the crime as abhorrent.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
extremely unpleasant or offensive
Very unpleasant and making you feel disgusted.
Usage pattern:
[something] is abhorrent (to [someone])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use it for mild dislike; it usually suggests very strong disgust or offense.
Synonyms
revolting (Often used for physical disgust or shock.)
|
disgusting (More common and less formal.)
|
offensive (Focuses on causing upset or insult rather than physical disgust.)
Antonyms
pleasant (Enjoyable rather than disgusting.)
|
appealing (Attractive or inviting rather than repulsive.)
Collocations
an abhorrent smell
|abhorrent conditions
|abhorrent living conditions
|abhorrent taste
|an abhorrent image
|an abhorrent scene
|find [something] abhorrent
|seem abhorrent
|utterly abhorrent
|deeply abhorrent
Themes
emotions
|daily_life
Examples
- The kitchen was left in abhorrent condition after the party.
- He found the smell from the trash bin abhorrent.
- She said the images were abhorrent and turned away.
Learner examples
- The smell was abhorrent.
adjective
formal
C2
relation
3
completely opposed or incompatible
Strongly against someone’s beliefs or values.
Usage pattern:
[something] is abhorrent to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
This sense commonly uses "to" ("abhorrent to our values"), not "from" or "with."
Synonyms
contrary (More neutral; less emotional and less intense.)
|
incompatible (More technical and less moral judgment.)
|
antithetical (Formal; emphasizes direct opposition in principles or ideas.)
Antonyms
consistent (In agreement with a principle or belief.)
|
compatible (Able to exist together without conflict.)
Collocations
abhorrent to
|abhorrent to our values
|abhorrent to the constitution
|abhorrent to justice
|abhorrent to democracy
|abhorrent to human dignity
|abhorrent to tradition
|entirely abhorrent to
|fundamentally abhorrent to
|morally abhorrent to
Themes
ethics
|politics
|law
Examples
- The idea of collective punishment is abhorrent to international law.
- Bribery is abhorrent to the company’s stated values.
- Such discrimination is abhorrent to everything he stands for.
Learner examples
- Lying is abhorrent to her principles.
Grammar
Dictionary form
abhorrent
IPA
GB/æbhˈɔɹənt/
US/æbhˈɔɹənt/
Syllables & stress
ab - hor - rent (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (hor)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: abhorrent
Word family
Core family
abhor
verb C1
abhorrence
noun
Expressions
be abhorrent to
1/bˈi æbhˈɔɹənt tə/
fixed phrase
formal
be completely unacceptable to
To be very shocking or unacceptable to someone.
Examples
- The proposal was abhorrent to many voters.
- Violence against children is abhorrent to any decent society.
- The practice is abhorrent to her beliefs.