verb
C2
Proficient
abhor
uhb-HAW
Abhor (verb) means to hate or detest something intensely; to regard it with disgust. Example: “She abhors cruelty to animals in any form.”
verb
1
To hate or detest something intensely; to regard it with disgust.
"She abhors cruelty to animals in any form."
"Most people abhor violence, at least in principle."
How to use abhor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hate something so strongly that it disgusts you.
When to use it
Formal — stronger and more literary than "hate" or "dislike."
Common pairings
abhor violence
abhor injustice
utterly abhor
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- abhors
- Past tense
- abhorred
- Archaic forms
- abhorrest, abhorredst, abhorreth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ cruelty to animals in any form.
Etymology
From Latin abhorrere, "to shrink back in horror," from ab- ("away from") + horrere ("to bristle, be terrified") — the same root as "horror" and "horrify."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “abhor” mean?
The word “abhor” means to hate or detest something intensely; to regard it with disgust. In plain terms, to hate something so strongly that it disgusts you.
How do you pronounce “abhor”?
“Abhor” is pronounced uhb-HAW (/æbˈhɔɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “abhor” in a sentence?
Here is “abhor” used in a sentence: “She abhors cruelty to animals in any form.”
What part of speech is “abhor”?
“Abhor” is a verb.
Where does the word “abhor” come from?
The word “abhor” comes from Latin. From Latin abhorrere, "to shrink back in horror," from ab- ("away from") + horrere ("to bristle, be terrified") — the same root as "horror" and "horrify.".
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