less abhorrent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less abhorrent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as offensive or repulsive as something else. Example: "While the situation is still troubling, it is less abhorrent than the previous incident we encountered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Would the act be less abhorrent if it advanced the Palestinian cause?

The New York Times

The modern world largely accepts homosexuality as a natural feature of human life; this newspaper regards discrimination based on sexual preference as no less abhorrent than racial prejudice.Christian churches have been struggling with the issue for decades.

The Economist

Sign up nObviously thatbest of VICE Canadoeselivered straight to your in'tx.

Vice

Racially profiling an entire group of immigrants as potential terrorists is no less abhorrent than imprisoning innocent citizens.

Huffington Post

The same could be said of the abuse of human beings, and it's surely true, and is no less abhorrent.

Huffington Post

He described his refusal to cooperate with his interrogators, boasted of his deceit, and how there was nothing he could do to make the plot appear less abhorrent to fellow Catholics.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Perversely claiming they had exempted the younger pupils and targeted only the older boys because of their closer association with the army, they cynically tried to legitimise killing a 15-year-old as if it was in any way less morally abhorrent than killing a 12-year-old.

The Guardian - Opinion

States with less of this abhorrent practice have also shown improvement.

The Economist

So tell everyone that they're living in a haven of responsible, socially-conscious morality and they're less likely to take notice of your abhorrent, persecutive foreign policy.

Vice

That prospect, abhorrent to asado-loving Argentines, would matter less if other parts of the economy were as productive as agriculture but few are.In this section Stop, border ahead Not made here British Columbia or Colombia?

The Economist

Alfred Russel Wallace, the co-discoverer of the principle of natural selection, drew similar conclusions, According to James Marchant, the editor of his letters and reminiscences, "The sacrifice…of human life in dangerous employments for the purpose of financial gain, no less than the frightful slaughter of the battlefield, was abhorrent to [him] and aroused his intensest indignation".

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less abhorrent" to make nuanced comparisons of actions or ideas, indicating a reduced level of offensiveness rather than complete approval. This is particularly effective when discussing complex ethical or moral issues.

Common error

Avoid using "less abhorrent" when the intention is to describe something as completely acceptable or morally sound. This phrase inherently implies a degree of negativity, even if reduced. Instead, use phrases like "acceptable" or "morally sound" when describing something positive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less abhorrent" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a reduced degree of offensiveness or repulsiveness. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples found by Ludwig demonstrate its use in comparing the moral implications of different actions or situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

14%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less abhorrent" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that functions as a comparative, indicating a reduced level of offensiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to make nuanced comparisons, especially in ethical and moral contexts. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent, with primary appearances in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure you're conveying a reduced degree of negativity rather than complete acceptance, and consider alternatives like "more acceptable" or "not as offensive" for greater clarity. The phrase is found in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as repugnant

Uses a synonym for "abhorrent" to express a lower level of disgust.

not as offensive

Directly states a lower level of offensiveness.

less loathsome

Implies a reduced feeling of intense dislike or disgust.

less objectionable

Implies reduced grounds for objection.

less detestable

Emphasizes a lower level of hatefulness.

more acceptable

Indicates a higher degree of acceptance compared to something else.

more tolerable

Suggests a higher capacity to be endured.

more palatable

Suggests something is easier to accept or agree with.

not as dreadful

Indicates a lower level of fear or awe-inspiring dread.

more agreeable

Indicates greater pleasantness or willingness to agree.

FAQs

How can I use "less abhorrent" in a sentence?

Use "less abhorrent" to compare two things, indicating that one is not as offensive or repugnant as the other. For example, "While the new policy is not ideal, it is "less abhorrent" than the previous one".

What's a good alternative to "less abhorrent"?

Alternatives to "less abhorrent" include "more acceptable", "not as offensive", or "more tolerable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "less abhorrent" the same as "acceptable"?

No, "less abhorrent" implies a reduction in negativity, whereas "acceptable" suggests something meets a minimum standard of approval. Something that is "less abhorrent" might still not be fully acceptable.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "less abhorrent"?

"Less abhorrent" is appropriate in contexts where you want to acknowledge that something is still undesirable but not as strongly so as something else. This is often used in ethical debates or when discussing compromises.