# abhor

/æbˈhɔɹ/ (US) · /ɐbhˈɔː/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abhor
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

to feel a very strong dislike for something or someone. You use this when you think something is so bad that it makes you sick.

For teachers: to regard with intense dislike or hatred; to find something deeply offensive or repulsive.

## Examples

- He abhors any form of violence.
- The committee members abhor the idea of cutting funding for public libraries.
- A true philosopher abhors the simplistic reduction of complex human behavior to mere biological impulses, preferring instead to explore the nuances of the mind.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.