Abhorrent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /əb-ˈhȯr-ənt/ ab·hor·rent

Meaning & Definition of Abhorrent

Abhorrent (adjective)

  1. causing or deserving strong dislike or hatred, being so repugnant as to stir up positive antagonism
  2. not agreeable, contrary
  3. feeling or showing strong dislike or hatred

Abhorrent (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

    "he considers it abhorrent the way she keeps her dogs penned up all the time"

    similar: abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, offensive, rancid, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly
    related: exceptionable, objectionable, brackish, disagreeable, dislikable, unpleasant, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hard, hateful, unhealthy, unsavory, unwholesome, execrable, lousy, miserable, atrocious, frightful, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome, heinous, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish, sick, sickish, sickly, terrible, unspeakable, vile, off-putting, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome, barbarous, unchristian, uncivilized, ungodly, unholy, distressing, disturbing, upsetting
    opposite: innocuous, inoffensive
    near: acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory, sweet, welcome, unexceptionable, unobjectionable, healthful, healthy, restorative, salubrious, salutary, wholesome

  2. feeling or showing open dislike for someone or something regarded as undeserving of respect or concern

    "she's abhorrent of the nonsense that the tabloid media pass off as news"

    similar: contemptuous, disdainful, scornful
    related: bold-faced, brash, brassy, brazen, cheeky, cocky, discourteous, disrespectful, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, sassy, saucy, arrogant, cavalier, highfalutin, high-handed, high-hat, pretentious, uppish, uppity, haughty, lofty, lordly, prideful, sniffish, snobbish, supercilious, pompous, self-important, superior, catty, cruel, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful
    opposite: admiring, applauding, appreciative, approving
    near: deferential, regardful, respectful, accepting, tolerant, courteous, polite

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Abhorrent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Abhorrent:

abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, offensive, rancid, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly, contemptuous, disdainful, scornful

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Abhorrent

Words with the opposite meaning of Abhorrent:

innocuous, inoffensive, admiring, applauding, appreciative, approving

Related Words for Abhorrent

exceptionable, objectionable, brackish, disagreeable, dislikable, unpleasant, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hard, hateful, unhealthy, unsavory, unwholesome, execrable, lousy, miserable, atrocious, frightful, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome, heinous, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish

Near Antonyms of Abhorrent

acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory, sweet

Word Forms of Abhorrent

Derived words: abhorrently (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Abhorrent

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

First known use: 1599

Frequently Asked Questions about Abhorrent

What does "Abhorrent" mean?

"Abhorrent" means causing or deserving strong dislike or hatred, being so repugnant as to stir up positive antagonism. As an adjective, it is defined as: causing or deserving strong dislike or hatred, being so repugnant as to stir up positive antagonism. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Abhorrent"?

Other words for "Abhorrent" include abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil and foul. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Abhorrent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Abhorrent"?

There are 125 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Abhorrent". Common alternatives include abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome and gross.

What is the opposite of "Abhorrent"?

Antonyms of "Abhorrent" include innocuous, inoffensive, admiring, applauding, appreciative and approving. Near antonyms include acceptable, agreeable, alluring and appealing.

How do you use "Abhorrent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Abhorrent" in a sentence: "he considers it abhorrent the way she keeps her dogs penned up all the time"; "she's abhorrent of the nonsense that the tabloid media pass off as news".

Is "Abhorrent" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Abhorrent" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Abhorrent"?

"Abhorrent" is pronounced /əb-ˈhȯr-ənt/ and divided into syllables as ab·hor·rent.

What is the origin of the word "Abhorrent"?

"Abhorrent" comes from borrowed from Latin abhorrent-, abhorrens, present participle of abhorrēre "to abhor". First known use: 1599.