abominate
C2 / Very Low-Frequency / Literary-FormalFormal, Literary, Elevated. Rare in casual conversation. Often found in religious, moral, or polemical texts.
Definition
Meaning
to loathe or detest intensely; to regard with intense aversion or hatred.
Beyond personal hatred, can imply a moral or religious repugnance, as towards something considered wicked, abhorrent, or unnatural. Often suggests the object is offensive to one's principles or sensibilities.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Stronger than 'dislike' or 'hate'; implies a profound, often visceral, repulsion. Carries a connotation of judging the object as vile, odious, or wicked. Often used with abstract concepts (e.g., cruelty, tyranny) rather than simple personal annoyances.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or frequency. The word is equally rare and formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be encountered in British English in historical or ecclesiastical contexts, but this is a minimal distinction.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. 'Loathe', 'detest', 'abhor' are far more common near-synonyms.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] abominates [Object] (e.g., She abominates deceit).[Subject] abominates [Gerund/V-ing] (e.g., He abominates lying).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hold in abomination (archaic, directly related)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Possible in philosophical, ethical, or theological discourse criticizing a practice or ideology. (e.g., 'The philosopher abominated utilitarian approaches to justice.')
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound oddly formal or archaic.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The old colonel abominated any suggestion of political compromise.
- She quite abominates the modern fashion for loud public confessions.
American English
- The preacher abominated the corruption he saw in the city.
- I abominate having to get up before dawn.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He abominates cruelty to animals.
- They abominate the dictator's policies.
- A true pacifist, she abominates violence in all its forms.
- The puritan settlers abominated what they saw as the licentiousness of the native customs.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A BOMB I HATE' – I would detonate a bomb on something I utterly ABOMINATE.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE OBJECT OF HATRED IS FILTH / DISEASE / A MORAL POLLUTANT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not "отвращать" (to repel/disgust). "Abominate" is active hatred from the subject. Closer to "ненавидеть всеми силами", "гнушаться" (in the moral sense), "питать омерзение к".
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for mild dislike. *'I abominate broccoli.' (Overkill).
- Confusing with 'abominable' (adjective) in structure. *'He is abominate.' (Incorrect) vs. 'He is abominable.' / 'He abominates.'
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'abominate' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare in modern speech and writing. 'Loathe', 'detest', and 'abhor' are much more common.
'Abominate' is far stronger, more formal, and often implies a moral or principled revulsion. 'Hate' is a general term for intense dislike.
It would sound excessively formal, literary, or even humorous due to its rarity. It is best reserved for formal writing or specific stylistic effect.
The direct noun is 'abomination', meaning something that causes disgust and hatred. The state of abominating is less commonly referred to as 'abominableness'.