Synonym Chooser

How does the verb abhor contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of abhor are abominate, detest, hate, and loathe. While all these words mean "to feel strong aversion or intense dislike for," abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance.

a crime abhorred by all

When can abominate be used instead of abhor?

In some situations, the words abominate and abhor are roughly equivalent. However, abominate suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation.

abominates all forms of violence

When could detest be used to replace abhor?

The words detest and abhor are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, detest suggests violent antipathy.

detests cowards

In what contexts can hate take the place of abhor?

Although the words hate and abhor have much in common, hate implies an emotional aversion often coupled with enmity or malice.

hated the enemy with a passion

When would loathe be a good substitute for abhor?

The synonyms loathe and abhor are sometimes interchangeable, but loathe implies utter disgust and intolerance.

loathed the mere sight of them

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abhor The only characters who praise it are creeps, almost as if Phillips is trying to tell us something about his audience … Folie à Deux never shows us this TV movie, perhaps because that would be funny and interesting, two qualities the film abhors. Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024 David abhors interactions that feel overly transactional or impersonal. Allbusiness, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Business leaders are quick to abhor left-wing populism, with its government giveaways to supporters, spending on boondoggle projects, and disregard for financial discipline and investor confidence. Roberto Stefan Foa rachel Kleinfeld, Harvard Business Review, 10 Oct. 2024 Most of them, after all, continue to abhor political violence—even if a significant minority now support it. Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abhor 

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Cite this Entry

“Abhor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abhor. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on abhor

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