What does abhor mean?
"Abhor" is a verb meaning to regard something with intense disgust, hatred, or moral revulsion. When you abhor something, you do not merely dislike it — you find it deeply repugnant and reject it outright. The word is most often applied to practices, behaviors, or ideas considered morally offensive, as in "she abhors violence" or "the organization abhors discrimination." Because of this ethical coloring, "abhor" appears frequently in formal writing, official statements, and discussions of principle, lending a weight that plainer words like "hate" or "dislike" lack. Grammatically, it is transitive, taking a direct object, and follows regular conjugation: abhors, abhorring, abhorred. Its derivatives include the noun "abhorrence" and the adjective "abhorrent," which describes something that provokes disgust. Derived from the Latin "abhorrēre," literally meaning "to shrink back from in horror," the word vividly captures the instinctive flinch of revulsion. For writers seeking a precise, forceful term for deep moral objection, "abhor" remains an indispensable choice.
verbTo regard with disgust and hatred; to find something deeply repugnant or intolerable.
- To regard something with intense disgust or hatred.
- (Less common) To shrink from or be incompatible with something.
"She abhors cruelty of any kind and has devoted her career to animal welfare."
"He abhors waste of any kind and reuses everything he can."
"The committee stated that it abhors all forms of political corruption."
The Latin root of "abhor" literally means "to shrink back shuddering from" — your body flinching before your mind even decides.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of abhor
"Abhor" comes from the Latin verb "abhorrēre," formed from "ab-" (away from) plus "horrēre" (to bristle or shudder), so its literal sense is "to shrink back shuddering from." English borrowed the word in the mid-15th century, initially carrying the physical sense of recoiling or shrinking away, before the modern sense of moral disgust became dominant. It shares the same Latin root "horrēre" with "horror," "horrid," and "horrify."
Related word forms
How abhor is actually used
Register: formal to neutral. "Abhor" carries a strong emotional charge — stronger than "dislike" or even "hate" in everyday tone — and typically takes a direct object (a thing, practice, or behavior) rather than a person. It is often used in moral or ethical contexts. The verb conjugates regularly: abhors, abhorring, abhorred.
Easily confused with abhor
"Adore" means to love deeply, nearly the opposite of "abhor," though the two words share a similar rhythm; they are not related in meaning.
"Aboard" means on or into a ship, aircraft, or train — it is unrelated in meaning to "abhor" despite a similar opening sound.