abhor
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Synonym Usage
See hate.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has abhorredperfect 3rd person singular
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have abhorredperfect
-
are abhorringprogressive
-
abhorssingular 3rd person
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abhorringparticiple
-
am abhorringprogressive 1st person singular
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is abhorringprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been abhorringperfect progressive
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has been abhorringperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had abhorredperfect
-
was abhorringprogressive singular
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had been abhorringperfect progressive
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abhorredparticiple
-
were abhorringprogressive plural
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abhorredsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of abhor
First recorded before 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin abhorrēre “to shrink back from, shudder at,” equivalent to ab- ab- + horrēre “to bristle, tremble”
Explanation
If you abhor something, it gives you a feeling of complete hatred. Chances are you abhor that kid who used to torture the frogs in biology class. Abhor is from Latin abhorrere — "to shrink back in horror." It is the strongest way in English to express hatred, even stronger than loathe. We only use abhor in formal contexts; you might say "I abhor that man," but you would be less likely to say "I abhor spinach" unless you tend to express yourself in highfalutin terms no matter what the occasion.
Vocabulary lists containing abhor
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
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Grade 9, List 1
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Romeo and Juliet
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I have experienced discrimination, which I abhor when directed to me or to anyone else,” said DeJute, who is gay.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
This isn’t a threat, but a reality I feel I need to convey explicitly, because as a diplomat and a veteran, I abhor war.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026
Briloff would say that markets abhor uncertainty, and less frequent reporting only adds more.
From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025
“I disagree with or even abhor things that Nick Fuentes says, but canceling him isn’t the answer either.”
From Slate • Oct. 31, 2025
I abhor the rainbow stripe and would prefer something along the lines of a simple skull and crossbones.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
