abhorrence
noun
ab·hor·rence
əb-ˈhȯr-ən(t)s 
-ˈhär-,
ab-
1
a
: the act or state of abhorring or despising something or someone
a crime regarded with abhorrence
b
: a feeling of strong repugnance or disgust : loathing
an abhorrence of war
2
: something regarded as repugnant or disgusting
Slavery is an abhorrence.
Synonyms
Examples of abhorrence in a Sentence
one of the changes in American society that remains a particular abhorrence of social conservatives
my firm abhorrence of all forms of hypocrisy
Recent Examples on the Web
My reaction to Elon Musk's post was absolute abhorrence.
—
Nbc Universal, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2023
Nearly all of the lawmakers urging humanitarian considerations have included vociferous reiterations of their support for the Jewish state and their abhorrence of Hamas.
—Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023
But enemies of Rustin within the civil-rights movement—among them Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., the Harlem congressman and power broker—were motivated by a genuine abhorrence of gay men.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
Thirteen years apart, the two sisters came to share an abhorrence of the slave system on which their family’s wealth and position depended.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2022
Certainly, not all of his followers will go to Macron, but abhorrence of the extreme right is still a stronger motive for the French left than is abhorrence of the liberal center, strong though that motive is, as well.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2022
From Hong Kong to Sudan, Chile to Lebanon, citizens are once more reminding us of the common yearning for honest governance and the universal abhorrence of corruption.
—Joseph R. Biden, Foreign Affairs, 23 Jan. 2020
And its predilection for blandness and food that stayed obediently in one place on the plate led to an odd overreliance on gelatine, white sauce, and salads agglomerated with mayonnaise (potato, macaroni, Waldorf), as well as an abhorrence of strong odors and spices, not to mention lettuce.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2021
Edelstein’s contrary nature, his resistance to political interference in pastoral life, his abhorrence of silence, continues to this day.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 4 Feb. 2023
Nbc Universal, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2023
Nearly all of the lawmakers urging humanitarian considerations have included vociferous reiterations of their support for the Jewish state and their abhorrence of Hamas.
—Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023
But enemies of Rustin within the civil-rights movement—among them Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., the Harlem congressman and power broker—were motivated by a genuine abhorrence of gay men.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
Thirteen years apart, the two sisters came to share an abhorrence of the slave system on which their family’s wealth and position depended.
—Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Nov. 2022
Certainly, not all of his followers will go to Macron, but abhorrence of the extreme right is still a stronger motive for the French left than is abhorrence of the liberal center, strong though that motive is, as well.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2022
From Hong Kong to Sudan, Chile to Lebanon, citizens are once more reminding us of the common yearning for honest governance and the universal abhorrence of corruption.
—Joseph R. Biden, Foreign Affairs, 23 Jan. 2020
And its predilection for blandness and food that stayed obediently in one place on the plate led to an odd overreliance on gelatine, white sauce, and salads agglomerated with mayonnaise (potato, macaroni, Waldorf), as well as an abhorrence of strong odors and spices, not to mention lettuce.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2021
Edelstein’s contrary nature, his resistance to political interference in pastoral life, his abhorrence of silence, continues to this day.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 4 Feb. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abhorrence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
First Known Use
1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near abhorrence
Cite this Entry
“Abhorrence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abhorrence. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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More from Merriam-Webster on abhorrence
Nglish: Translation of abhorrence for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of abhorrence for Arabic Speakers
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