abhor
abhor
Pronunciation
/əbˈhɔːr/
ab-: /əb/
/ə/ - a schwa sound, a short, unstressed vowel.
/b/ - a voiced bilabial stop.
-hor: /hɔːr/
/h/ - a glottal fricative.
/ɔː/ - a long open-mid back rounded vowel.
/r/ - a voiced alveolar approximant.
Word Form Variations
Verb Forms:
abhor: (base form)
abhors: (third-person singular present)
abhorred: (past tense and past participle)
abhorring: (present participle)
Related Noun Forms:
abhorrence: (noun, meaning a feeling of repulsion; this is a very common related noun.)
abhorrer: (noun, meaning a person who abhors something)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb:
Definition:
To regard with intense disgust and aversion; to feel a profound sense of loathing towards something. It implies a strong emotional reaction of repulsion.
To reject something because it is seen as morally reprehensible.
Synonyms:
Loathe, detest, despise, abominate, execrate, hate.
Antonyms:
Love, admire, cherish, adore, relish, appreciate.
Example sentence:
"She abhors any form of cruelty towards animals."
Noun (abhorrence):
Definition:
A feeling of extreme repugnance or disgust.
The state of greatly disliking something.
Synonyms:
Disgust, loathing, detestation, aversion, revulsion, antipathy.
Antonyms:
Admiration, love, fondness, affection, appreciation.
Example sentence:
"His face showed pure abhorrence at the sight of the injustice."
Noun (abhorrer):
Definition:
One who intensely dislikes or detests something.
A person who regards something with great repugnance.
Synonyms:
Detester, loather, despiser, hater.
Antonyms:
Admirer, lover, appreciator.
Example sentence:
"He was an abhorrer of all forms of violence."
Examples of Use
In News and Online Publications:
"The president also cited his father as the one who taught him to abhor the abuse of power." (Los Angeles Times)
This shows the use of "abhor" in a political context, highlighting a strong moral rejection.
"Investors abhor uncertainty and tend to sell stocks in the months leading up to an election when the outcome is unknown." (New York Times)
Here, it's used in a financial context, showing how a group intensely dislikes a particular condition."Most of us who supported Trump in 2020 abhorred what happened after the election." (National Review)
This example shows the word used in a social and political context, expressing strong negative feelings towards events.
In Literature and General Discourse:
The phrase "nature abhors a vacuum" is a classic example, often used in scientific and philosophical discussions. This indicates a general principle of avoidance.
In many historical texts, you'll find "abhor" used to describe reactions to acts of violence or injustice. This reflects the word's capacity to convey deep moral revulsion.
General Public Discourse:
People might say, "I abhor the thought of wasting food," expressing a strong dislike for a particular action.
In discussions about social issues, individuals may state that they "abhor" discrimination or prejudice.
10 Famous Quotes Using Abhor
“Those who love truth must also abhor falsehood, for one cannot flourish where the other is allowed to grow.” (Thomas Jefferson)
“I abhor war and all its brutalities, yet I love the courage it sometimes awakens in humankind.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
“To truly seek justice is to abhor cruelty, even when it benefits us.” (Unknown)
“We should abhor the chains that bind the mind more fiercely than those that bind the body.” (Voltaire)
“The wise learn to abhor the impulses that betray their better nature.” (Seneca)
“I abhor the notion that destiny is fixed, for it denies the power of choice.” (Unknown)
“Let us abhor indifference, for it is the silent accomplice of every great injustice.” (Elie Wiesel)
“I abhor arrogance in victory and despair in defeat; both forget the lessons of the struggle.” (George Washington)
“One should abhor a lie not because it offends others, but because it erodes the soul of the one who speaks it.” (Unknown)
“To love deeply is also to abhor the forces that threaten what we cherish.” (Unknown)
Etymology
Where it Comes From:
The word "abhor" comes from the Latin word "abhorrēre."
"ab-" means "away from" or "from."
"horrēre" means "to shudder," "to tremble," or "to bristle." Think of how your hair might stand on end when you're scared or disgusted.
Putting it Together:
So, "abhorrēre" literally meant "to shudder away from" something. This conveys a very strong physical and emotional reaction.
First Known Use and Meaning:
The word entered the English language in the 1530s.
Its initial meaning, and the meaning it retains today, is to regard something with intense disgust or loathing. It's a very strong word that suggests a deep feeling of repulsion.
Therefore, the first use, and current use, are very similar. The word has retained its strong negative connotation.
In essence:
Imagine something so awful that it makes you physically recoil. That's the feeling "abhor" captures. It's like a shudder of disgust that pushes you away from whatever you find so repulsive.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Abhor
Phrases with "abhorrence":
"To hold in abhorrence": This phrase is used to express a strong feeling of dislike or disgust towards something.
Example: "They hold all forms of violence in abhorrence."
"A sense of abhorrence": This phrase is used to show someone has a feeling of strong disgust.
Example: "A sense of abhorrence washed over him at the sight."
Idioms with synonyms (to convey similar meaning):
"To have a gut feeling of revulsion": This expresses a strong, instinctive dislike.
"To turn one's nose up at": This idiom means to reject something with disdain.
"To be sickened by": This conveys a feeling of disgust and nausea.
"To shudder at the thought of": this shows a strong feeling of disgust, and fear.
"To have a deep seated loathing of": This phrase shows a very strong and long lasting feeling of hate.
Original Phrases:
"To abhor the very air of [something]": This could be used to express a complete and pervasive dislike.
"To be an abhorrent concept": This phrase can be used when discussing a concept that someone finds morally wrong.
Explanation:
Because "abhor" is such a strong and formal word, it is not used in many common idioms. To combat that, I have provided idioms that use synonyms of the word, and also phrases that use the noun form of the word.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of abhor from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
