abhor — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To regard (someone or something) as horrifying or detestable; to feel great repugnance toward.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   detestdisdainloathe

   Examples

   I absolutely abhor being stuck in traffic jams.

   Let loue bee without dissimulation: abhorre that which is euill, cleaue to that which is good.

   More examples (2)

   Many vegetarians abhor the thought of killing animals to feed themselves and also the methods by which animals are slaughtered.

   I have risked alienating some members with criticism of the war, reminding them, for example, that the Lord abhors our worship of the false gods of Western affluence, worldly power and high technology. I agree with Michael J. Easley, the senior pastor-teacher of Immanuel Bible Church in Springfield, when he says, "I think my 'job' is to clearly teach the Scriptures, not be persuaded by what may or may not be our people's views."

2. To fill with horror or disgust.

   Usage

   • impersonal
   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   But neuer taynt my Loue. I cannot say Whore, It do's abhorre me now I speake the word, To do the Act, that might the addition earne, Not the worlds Masse of vanitie could make me.

3. To turn aside or avoid; to keep away from; to reject.

   Usage

   • Transitive

4. To protest against; to reject solemnly.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   I vtterly abhorre; yea, from my Soule Refuse you for my Iudge, whom yet once more I hold my most malicious Foe, and thinke not At all a Friend to truth.

5. To feel horror, disgust, or dislike (towards); to be contrary or averse (to); construed with from.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • Obsolete

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   Also in those daunces were enterlased dities of wanton loue or ribaudry, with frequent remembrance of the moste vile idolis Venus and Bacchus, as it were that the daunce were to their honour and memorie, whiche most of all abhorred from Christes religion, sauerynge the auncient errour of paganysme.

   Either then the law by harmless and needful dispenses, which the gospel is now made to deny, must have anticipated and exceeded the grace of the gospel, or else must be found to have given politic and superficial graces without real pardon, saying in general, “do this and live,” and yet deceiving and damning underhand with unsound and hollow permissions; which is utterly abhorring from the end of all law, as hath been shewed.

6. Differ entirely from.

   Usage

   • Intransitive
   • Obsolete

Verb

1. find repugnant

   Synonyms

   loatheabominateexecrate

   Broader terms

   hatedetest

   Examples

   I loathe that man

   She abhors cats