abhor
UK /əbˈhɔː/ US /æbˈhɔːr/ Syllables: ab-hor
Quick answer
To feel intense hatred or disgust toward something, usually on moral grounds.
To abhor something is to hate it deeply, usually for moral reasons. People abhor cruelty, dishonesty, and violence, and the word says more than dislike. It is much stronger than hate in everyday speech and it belongs to formal writing and serious talk. You would not say that you abhor a cold breakfast, though you might say you abhor injustice.
"She abhorred cruelty in any form, even toward insects."Meanings
- To hate something very strongly, often for moral reasons.
- To feel disgust toward something.
Example sentences
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"She abhors cruelty to animals."
Level C2, Meaning 1
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"He abhorred the idea of lying to his friends."
Level C2, Meaning 1
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"Most people abhor violence of any kind."
Level C2, Meaning 1
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"The judge said that she abhorred such crimes."
Level C2, Meaning 1
Synonyms and antonyms
Look-alikes and common mistakes
- hate : Hate is the everyday word. Abhor is stronger and more formal, and it suggests a deep moral objection.
Word family and forms
Forms: abhors, abhorred, abhorring
Word partners
Words and phrases that often go with "abhor".
- abhor violence
- abhor cruelty
- abhor the idea
- abhor hypocrisy
- I abhor
- abhor injustice
Origin
Abhor came into English through Middle French from Latin abhorrere, which meant to shrink back in horror. It is built from ab, meaning away from, and horrere, meaning to bristle or to stand with fear, the root of the word horror.
Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Dictionary.com.
Usage notes
"Abhor" is stronger and more formal than "hate". It is typically used for moral or ethical objections, not everyday dislikes like disliking a food.
How to remember it
Abhor has "horror" at its end: when you abhor something, you shrink away from it in horror.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "She _____ cruelty to animals."
Answer: abhor
In your own words, what does "abhor" mean?
To feel intense hatred or disgust toward something, usually on moral grounds.
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Sources and credits
- Wiktionary, the free dictionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) · used for the origin, pronunciation · checked Oct 19, 2026
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
- Dictionary.com · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Report a mistake on this page