abominable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abominable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely unpleasant or detestable. Example: "The abominable conditions in the shelter prompted many to call for immediate reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.35pm AEST05:35 Only Bob Katter can combine the Galilee Basin, the abominable snowman and santa claus.

The Guardian

Conservative lawyers had long warned of perverse consequences: restricting the freedom of British courts; and then – if we're still in the convention – provoking a new rush of cases to Strasbourg; or – if we leave – setting an abominable example to the likes of Russia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now the fate of the Abominable Gasman lies with Mr Almunia's successor, Margrethe Vestager.Dig deeper: How Russia's cancellation of a big pipeline is teaching its friends a lesson (Dec 2014) Europe could survive a cut-off of Russian gas, but only a short one (Sept 2014) Weaning Poland off Russian gas (Apr 2014).

The Economist

Both countries also have big Roma (gypsy) populations, often living in abominable conditions, worse than under communism.The Balkan pair view Russia differently.

The Economist

The first is Libya's abominable treatment of five Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor who have been imprisoned for 8 years on the utterly false charge of infecting 426 children with HIV in a Benghazi hospital.

The Economist

Polls show them increasing their share of the vote by half since the 2008 election.In this section Entente or bust Struck off Outsiders needed Waltzing with disaster Not so grim up north The abominable gas man Money matters ReprintsAs with many parties across Europe, the League's anti-illegal immigration and anti-Islamic stance is popular.

The Economist

What Jamaican law calls "the abominable crime of buggery" is punishable with up to ten years of hard labour; "gross indecency" merits up to two years.

The Economist

The president, Michelle Bachelet, described the latest attack as "abominable" and vowed to use Chile's tough anti-terrorism law against the perpetrators.

The Economist

And it is abominable, he says, to see Hindus, richer and hungry for protein, beginning to eat beef.In this section House of dreams Play up and pay the game Mixed blessings Face of an angel Stuck at year zero Americans in Paris ReprintsAt his bleakest the author agrees with his friend.

The Economist

However, Iraq had nothing to do with those atrocities.Ilya ShlyakhterPrinceton, New JerseySIR – Let's face it the United States initiated an abominable war in a country they knew little or next to nothing about.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The chief motivation against a sensitivity condition is that, given plausible assumptions, it leads to unacceptable implications called 'abominable conjunctions'.[16] To see this, suppose first that skepticism about ordinary knowledge is false ordinary subjects know at least many of the things we ordinarily take them to know.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abominable", ensure the context clearly conveys a sense of extreme dislike or moral repugnance. Avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

Common error

Be cautious not to use "abominable" for mildly unpleasant situations. Reserve it for truly awful or morally reprehensible scenarios to avoid diluting its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "abominable" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as extremely unpleasant, hateful, or morally reprehensible. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing conditions, behaviors, and crimes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "abominable" is a powerful adjective used to describe something extremely unpleasant or morally repugnant. As Ludwig AI validates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media, encyclopedia, and scientific contexts. While "abominable" effectively conveys strong negative sentiment, it's crucial to reserve its use for situations that genuinely warrant such a severe descriptor. Alternatives such as detestable, loathsome, or repugnant may be more appropriate for less extreme scenarios. By understanding the nuances of its meaning and usage, writers can effectively leverage "abominable" to create a strong impact and add depth to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly detestable

Emphasizes the complete and absolute nature of the detestability.

thoroughly loathsome

Highlights the feeling of disgust and intense aversion.

absolutely reprehensible

Focuses on the moral wrongness and condemnation of something.

completely abhorrent

Stresses the feeling of revulsion and strong disapproval.

thoroughly disgusting

Highlights the unpleasant and offensive nature of something.

utterly offensive

Emphasizes the causing of outrage or displeasure.

morally repugnant

Focuses specifically on the ethical or moral unacceptability.

deeply offensive

Stresses the profound impact of the offensive nature.

highly objectionable

Highlights that it causes disagreement and disapproval.

thoroughly unpleasant

Emphasizes a lack of enjoyment or agreeableness.

FAQs

How to use "abominable" in a sentence?

Use "abominable" to describe something extremely unpleasant, offensive, or morally reprehensible. For example, "The conditions were "utterly detestable".".

What can I say instead of "abominable"?

You can use alternatives like "loathsome", "detestable", or "repugnant" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "abominable behavior" or "horrible behavior"?

"Abominable behavior" implies a stronger moral judgment than "horrible behavior". Use "abominable" when the behavior is not only bad but also morally offensive. Otherwise, the alternative can be "dreadful behavior".

What's the difference between "abominable" and "despicable"?

"Abominable" suggests something that causes disgust and revulsion, while "despicable" refers to something worthy of contempt. Something "truly despicable" is viewed as base or vile, deserving scorn.