to abhor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to abhor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a strong feeling of disgust or hatred towards something. Example: "Many people abhor the idea of animal cruelty and advocate for animal rights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He continues to abhor markets.

The Economist

Most likely to: Abhor euthanasia.

The Guardian - Music

"Men are more likely to abhor shopping.

The New York Times - Tech

The mainstream seemed to abhor imperfection.

The New York Times

Guards, too, tend to abhor child molesters.

The New York Times

The educated civilian elite tend to abhor them.

The Economist

Least likely to: Abhor the youth in Asia.

The Guardian - Music

He preaches compromise and claims to abhor "systems chauvinists".

The Economist

Microsoft used to abhor a low stock price.

The New York Times

Interestingly, both choices play the same game of identity politics that Republicans claim to abhor.

The New York Times

Robinson, in accordance with his rugby league instincts, was supposed to abhor the touchline.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to abhor" to express a strong feeling of disgust or hatred towards something, particularly when emphasizing a moral or ethical aversion.

Common error

Avoid using "to abhor" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler words like "hate" or "dislike" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to abhor" functions as an infinitive, most often used as part of a verb phrase. It expresses a strong negative emotion, indicating intense dislike or hatred towards something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to abhor" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that expresses a strong feeling of disgust or hatred. As Ludwig AI validates, it's commonly found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While versatile, it maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for situations requiring a more elevated tone than simple dislike. Alternatives like "to detest" and "to loathe" can be used for similar effect, but it's vital to consider the specific nuance and context to ensure the best fit. Avoid overusing it in informal settings where simpler language would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to detest

This alternative is a direct synonym, implying strong dislike or hatred.

to loathe

This alternative shares the meaning of intense dislike and aversion.

to despise

This alternative focuses on looking down upon something with contempt.

to abominate

This alternative suggests a feeling of revulsion and disgust.

to hate intensely

This alternative uses a more descriptive approach to emphasize the strength of the dislike.

to have a strong aversion to

This alternative highlights the act of turning away from something due to strong dislike.

to find repugnant

This alternative stresses the causing of disgust or strong dislike.

to shrink from

This alternative depicts a reaction of recoil or avoidance due to dislike.

to regard with disgust

This alternative puts emphasis on considering something with revulsion.

to view with repugnance

This alternative focuses on the act of perceiving something as offensive or unacceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "to abhor" in a sentence?

The phrase "to abhor" is used to express a strong feeling of disgust or hatred. For example, "Many people abhor the idea of animal cruelty".

What can I say instead of "to abhor"?

You can use alternatives like "to detest", "to loathe", or "to despise" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "to abhor" or "to hate"?

"To abhor" is generally considered more formal and intense than "to hate". Use "to abhor" when you want to emphasize a deep-seated aversion.

What's the difference between "to abhor" and "to dislike"?

"To abhor" implies a strong feeling of revulsion and disgust, while "to dislike" simply indicates a lack of preference or mild aversion. The intensity of the feeling is the key difference.