1 abhorrent | Definition of abhorrent

abhorrent

adjective
ab·​hor·​rent | \ É™b-ˈhȯr-É™nt How to pronounce abhorrent (audio) , -ˈhär-\

Definition of abhorrent

1 : causing or deserving strong dislike or hatred : being so repugnant as to stir up positive antagonism acts abhorrent to every right-minded person
2 : not agreeable : contrary a notion abhorrent to their philosophy
3a : feeling or showing strong dislike or hatred
b archaic : strongly opposed

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Other Words from abhorrent

abhorrently adverb

Examples of abhorrent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What counts as so morally abhorrent that an association should be erased — and who gets to decide? Elizabeth A. Harris, New York Times, "The Louvre Took Down the Sackler Name. Here’s Why Other Museums Probably Won’t.," 18 July 2019 The events that transpire are necessarily abhorrent - carefully yet unambiguously effective in their depiction, thanks to David Nicholls' screenplay and Edward Berger's direction. Hank Stuever, chicagotribune.com, "'Patrick Melrose' is the Cumberbatch-iest show ever made - and that's a good thing," 10 May 2018 Old Trafford teammate Ashley Young was on the receiving end of the abhorrent abuse in April, as were Watford pair Troy Deeney and Christian Kabasele. SI.com, "Man Utd Seek Talks With Twitter to Combat Racism Online After Abuse of Paul Pogba," 21 Aug. 2019 Of course, the health claims are false, not to mention abhorrent. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "People are still drinking bleach—and vomiting and pooping their guts out," 14 Aug. 2019 But action is also needed to end these abhorrent acts. Kayla Bartsch, National Review, "In a Community Turned Upside Down by Tragedy, ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ Are Everything," 13 Aug. 2019 But Black Monday doesn't reckon—even sardonically or sneeringly—with Wall Street's abhorrent ethical malfeasance. Bridget Read, Vogue, "Black Monday on Showtime: Maybe Wall Street Isn't Funny Anymore," 21 Jan. 2019 Wild pitches getting runners to third base preceded both sacrifice flies, adding further ignominy to an abhorrent series for Seattle. Chandler Rome, ExpressNews.com, "Houston’s Justin Verlander becomes majors’ first 15-game winner as Astros beat Mariners," 4 Aug. 2019 Top marks for effort, but all of those marks must be deducted for the abhorrent execution of this hairstyle. SI.com, "50 Most Unforgettable Haircuts in World Football," 10 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abhorrent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of abhorrent

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

History and Etymology for abhorrent

borrowed from Latin abhorrent-, abhorrens, present participle of abhorrēre "to abhor"

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More Definitions for abhorrent

abhorrent

adjective
ab·​hor·​rent | \ ab-ˈhȯr-É™nt How to pronounce abhorrent (audio) \

Kids Definition of abhorrent

: causing or deserving strong dislike an abhorrent crime

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