abhorrence

2 7.8

A very strong feeling of hate and disgust

noun
/əˈbɔːrəns/

: abhorrencia

Another repeated theme is the abhorrence with which the new society regards the irrational, unpredictable concept of love in the old society.
moral abhorrence

none is stronger than our mutual abhorrence of war.

Autoplay Next

Examples

He expressed his abhorrence towards animal cruelty during the debate.
My abhorrence for it reached its height with the development of the atom bomb.

MacArthur (1977)
Her body chilled with abhorrence, wondering if he would kiss her again.

Fiction book (2002)
When it came to Shadow of Death, however, ambivalence turned to active abhorrence.

Fiction book (2000)
Have we retained a natural abhorrence of the cowardly, of the lazy?

Fiction book (1994)
One reason liberation theologians opt for socialism stands out above all others: their abhorrence of the prevailing capitalist system.

Academic text (1992)
Her abhorrence for violence is evident in her advocacy for peace.
The community voiced their abhorrence of the destructive project proposed by the developers.

Synonyms

hatred

vsabhorrence

361 1.9

A very strong dislike that can make a person want to hurt others

adds disgust to intense hostility making it morally repelling

disgust

vsabhorrence

80 2.0

A strong feeling of dislike and being sick because something is offensive

adds explicit hatred to that feeling creating a stronger moral reaction

animosity

vsabhorrence

55 6.1

Strong angry feeling toward a person or group

highlights disgust combined with hatred, not only active hostility

loathing

vsabhorrence

46 5.2

A strong feeling of hatred and disgust for someone or something

is the same intense mix of hatred and disgust

aversion

vsabhorrence

38 6.5

A strong dislike of something or someone

is more extreme, adding disgust and active hatred to that dislike

revulsion

vsabhorrence

17 6.3

A strong feeling of disgust at something very unpleasant

is more about hatred mixed with disgust not only physical disgust

enmity

vsabhorrence

15 8.0

A strong feeling of hatred toward people or groups

puts more emphasis on disgust mixed with hatred rather than mutual hostility

antipathy

vsabhorrence

14 8.3

A strong feeling of dislike toward someone or something

is stronger and includes disgust mixed with hatred rather than mild aversion

repulsion

vsabhorrence

4 6.2

A strong feeling of dislike and disgust

is stronger, adding clear hatred to the feeling

repugnance

vsabhorrence

2 8.4

A strong feeling of dislike or disgust

places more weight on hatred together with disgust

detestation

vsabhorrence

1 8.6

A very strong feeling of hate and disgust for someone or something

is identical in meaning and intensity

despising

vsabhorrence

1 7.4

A strong feeling of dislike and scorn for someone or something

focuses more on disgust mixed with hatred rather than scorn alone

repugnancy

vsabhorrence

1 9.1

A strong feeling of disgust or deep dislike

is centered on hatred mixed with disgust rather than incompatibility

despisal

vsabhorrence

Archaic

8.9

Strong feeling of dislike and scorn for someone or something

includes a clearer element of revulsion and disgust alongside hostility

Antonyms

affection

276 1.4

A gentle warm feeling for a person, animal, or thing

fondness

39 2.8

A strong warm liking for a person or thing

How Hateful

abhorrence

2 7.8

hatred

361 1.9

dislike

Texting

50 1.0

disapproval

45 3.0

Surface Forms

abhorrence singular

abhorrences plural

Morphology

abhorrence = abhor (transparent) = abhor + ence

The noun is a regular nominalization of the verb 'abhor' with '-ence', so meaning is predictable from the base.

Etymology

Abhorrence comes from Latin parts ab- 'away' and horrere 'to shudder', so it originally meant to 'shudder away' from something. That's why abhorrence, like the word horror, means a very strong feeling of hate mixed with disgust.