abhorrent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "abhorrent" is correct and is used in written English.
It is an adjective that means intensely disliked or loathed. You can use it to describe something that is so bad or offensive that it is almost unbearable. For example, "She found her husband's behavior abhorrent and refused to remain married to him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I find that man abhorrent and I think it is such a bad idea for a politician to have anything to do with him.

The Guardian - Opinion

One of the main failings in the criminal justice response to this abhorrent form of sexual abuse is that, having criminalised the practice in 1985, all concerned sat back and waited for a little girl to walk into a police station and tell a strange adult what her mummy and daddy had allowed someone to do to her.

The Guardian - Opinion

I am trying to imagine how I would feel if I were returning home with my children after a long, arduous journey and forced to answer questions that insinuated I had done something I found abhorrent to them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unfortunately (unlike Parliament or the BBC) it is not – yet – answerable for its often pretty abhorrent actions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their views may be abhorrent but precisely because they are dangerous they need to be understood, investigated and held to account.

The Guardian - Opinion

After Baria's photographs, an agitated section of Parsis themselves demanded a municipal inspection, an idea abhorrent to traditionalists since non-Parsis are allowed only in the peripheral areas of Doongerwadi.

The Guardian

The manager has been exposed to security threats recently and Peat said: "I admire Neil's courage in handling the abhorrent and contemptible behaviour to which he has been subjected and put on record my condemnation of such cowardly acts.

The Guardian - Sport

I now note the slippage of my social standards; events seemingly acceptable at the time now appear abhorrent.

The Guardian

Instead, they used the law to force a person to express views he finds abhorrent.

The Guardian

'These acts of terrorist violence are abhorrent, they are inhuman,' he said in Washington, vowing: 'We will use all the means at our disposal to bring those responsible to justice no matter what or how long it takes.' American and British diplomatic missions were put on alert.

The Guardian

For Yilmaz, the idea of an executive presidency under Erdogan is abhorrent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abhorrent" to describe actions, ideas, or situations that evoke strong moral repugnance or disgust. It is stronger than simply 'dislike' and implies a deep aversion.

Common error

Avoid using "abhorrent" to describe mildly unpleasant things. Reserve it for scenarios that genuinely inspire deep disgust or moral outrage to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "abhorrent" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that evokes strong disgust, loathing, or moral repugnance. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show it describing actions, ideas, and behaviors considered deeply offensive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abhorrent" is a powerful adjective used to express strong disgust and moral repugnance. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and prevalent, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's tempting to use it broadly, remember to reserve "abhorrent" for situations that truly warrant such a strong expression of aversion to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like "detestable" or "repugnant" to fine-tune your message and prevent overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detestable

Expresses strong dislike and moral repugnance, similar to "abhorrent" but emphasizes moral objection.

repugnant

Indicates something extremely distasteful or unacceptable, close in meaning to "abhorrent" but focuses on causing disgust.

loathsome

Describes something that inspires intense disgust and hatred, akin to "abhorrent" but with a stronger emotional charge.

odious

Highlights something extremely unpleasant or repulsive, mirroring "abhorrent" but stressing repulsiveness.

despicable

Characterizes something worthy of contempt or scorn, like "abhorrent" but with a focus on moral reprehensibility.

revolting

Describes something that causes extreme disgust, akin to "abhorrent" but centering on visceral reaction.

disgusting

Signifies something that provokes revulsion, similar to "abhorrent" but emphasizes the feeling of disgust.

offensive

Denotes something that causes displeasure or resentment, relating to "abhorrent" but broader in scope.

distasteful

Indicates something unpleasant or disagreeable, similar to "abhorrent" but milder in intensity.

obnoxious

Characterizes something highly disagreeable or offensive, resembling "abhorrent" but with a focus on causing annoyance.

FAQs

How can I use "abhorrent" in a sentence?

You can use "abhorrent" to describe something that evokes strong disgust or moral repugnance. For example, "The idea of harming animals is "abhorrent" to me."

What words can I use instead of "abhorrent"?

You can use alternatives like "detestable", "repugnant", or "loathsome" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is 'very abhorrent'?

While grammatically correct, saying something is "very abhorrent" may sound redundant, as "abhorrent" already implies a high degree of dislike. Consider using it on its own or choosing a different adjective to modify.

What is the difference between "abhorrent" and "repulsive"?

"Abhorrent" implies a strong moral aversion or disgust, while "repulsive" typically describes something that causes physical disgust or aversion. Something can be both "repulsive" and "abhorrent", but they emphasize different aspects of dislike.