abhorred
C2formal/literary
Definition
Meaning
regarded with extreme disgust and hatred
detested, loathed, or strongly rejected on moral, aesthetic, or personal grounds
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies intense emotional revulsion, often with moral condemnation. More extreme than 'dislike' or 'hate'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in British literary contexts.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of moral repugnance in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but appears in formal writing, literature, and rhetoric.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be abhorred by someonefind something abhorredconsider something abhorredVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hold in abhorrence”
- “regard with abhorrence”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in ethical policy statements: 'Bribery is abhorred in our corporate culture.'
Academic
Used in humanities discussing moral philosophy, historical attitudes, or literary analysis.
Everyday
Very rare in casual speech. Would sound formal or dramatic.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She abhorred the cruelty she witnessed.
- The practice is abhorred by civilised society.
American English
- He abhorred the political corruption in the city.
- Such waste is abhorred in our community.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form 'abhorredly' is in use.)
American English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form 'abhorredly' is in use.)
adjective
British English
- The abhorred dictator was finally overthrown.
- It was the most abhorred policy of the century.
American English
- The abhorred legislation was repealed.
- He became an abhorred figure in the press.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Many people abhorred the new law.
- Cruelty to animals is abhorred.
- The regime's brutality was universally abhorred.
- She abhorred the thought of compromising her principles.
- The philosopher abhorred the utilitarian justification for suffering.
- His bigoted views were abhorred by his more enlightened colleagues.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ABHORRED' sounds like 'a bore' but with intense hate – you find a bore utterly detestable.
Conceptual Metaphor
HATRED IS A PHYSICAL REACTION (revulsion, sickness); MORALLY BAD IS FILTHY (something to be recoiled from).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с более мягким 'не любить' (dislike). 'Abhor' ближе к 'ненавидеть всеми силами', 'испытывать омерзение'.
- Не переводить как 'бояться' (to fear). Это ошибка ложного друга с 'ужас' (horror).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I abhorred to go there.' Correct: 'I abhorred going there.' (gerund after 'abhor')
- Incorrect: 'She is abhorring the idea.' Correct: 'She abhors the idea.' (simple present more common than progressive for stative verb).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'abhorred' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word most often found in writing, literature, or formal speech.
Yes, the past participle 'abhorred' can function as an adjective (e.g., 'the abhorred practice'), meaning 'detested'.
'Abhor' is stronger and more formal than 'hate'. It implies a deep-seated revulsion, often on moral grounds, while 'hate' is broader and more general.
When used passively, it is typically followed by 'by' (abhorred by someone). The active verb 'abhor' takes a direct object.