abhor
C1Formal/Literary
Definition
Meaning
To regard with extreme disgust and hatred; to detest utterly.
To reject vehemently on moral, aesthetic, or personal grounds; to find something deeply offensive and repugnant.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Abhor implies a deep-seated, often moral or principled hatred. It is stronger than 'dislike' or 'hate' and often suggests a sense of revulsion. The direct object is typically an abstract concept (e.g., violence, cruelty, hypocrisy) or a type of behavior/person, rather than a specific, singular object.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slight preference for 'detest' or 'loathe' in more casual American speech, where 'abhor' remains firmly formal.
Connotations
Equally strong and formal in both variants.
Frequency
Rare in everyday spoken conversation in both regions; more common in written texts, formal speeches, and literary contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive verb: SUBJ + abhor + OBJ (abstract noun/gerund)passive voice is rare but possible: 'Such practices are abhorred.'Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To hold in abhorrence”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in ethical policy statements: 'The company abhors all forms of bribery.'
Academic
Used in philosophy, political science, and ethics to describe principled opposition: 'Kantian ethics abhors treating persons merely as means.'
Everyday
Very rare in casual speech. Would mark the speaker as using formal language.
Technical
Not applicable in STEM fields. Used in legal/ethical discourses.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She abhors the gratuitous use of violence in films.
- True pacifists abhor war in all its forms.
American English
- He abhors the hypocrisy of modern politics.
- The founders abhorred the concentration of unchecked power.
adverb
British English
- abhorrently
American English
- abhorrently
adjective
British English
- abhorrent
- abhorred
American English
- abhorrent
- abhorred
Examples
By CEFR Level
- They abhor cruelty to animals.
- I abhor people who lie.
- The author's work reveals a mind that abhors dogma and simplistic answers.
- Many environmentalists abhor the wasteful practices of the fashion industry.
- His deeply held libertarian principles led him to abhor any form of state coercion.
- The novel's protagonist is a figure who abhors sentimentality, viewing it as a form of dishonesty.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A bear' (sounds like abhor) would HATE being in a cage. Abhor means to HATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
HATRED/REVULSION IS A PHYSICAL REACTION (to shrink from, to recoil from).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ненавидеть' for simple hatred. 'Abhor' is stronger and more specific, often tied to moral principles. Closer to 'питать отвращение', 'гнушаться'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it with a personal object in a non-abstract way (e.g., 'I abhor my neighbour' is odd; 'I abhor my neighbour's bigotry' is correct).
- Using it in a progressive form ('I am abhorring') is extremely rare and sounds unnatural.
- Misspelling as 'abhorr' or 'abhore'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'abhor' MOST appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, literary word. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to use 'hate', 'can't stand', 'detest', or 'loathe'.
It is exceptionally rare and sounds unnatural. 'Abhor' describes a state of feeling, not an ongoing action. Use the simple present: 'I abhor'.
The direct noun is 'abhorrence'. The related adjective is 'abhorrent'.
Using it for mild dislikes or with concrete, non-abstract objects. It is a strong verb for deep, often moral, revulsion towards concepts, behaviors, or types of things.