English Reference

Word

abhorrence

Phoneticsab·hor·rence, stress on the second syllable

US/əbˈhɔɹəns/

UK/ɐbhˈɒɹəns/

Uncountable noun

Definition

n. a very strong feeling of hate or disgust toward something. You use this when you want to show that you think something is absolutely terrible.

n. a strong feeling of hatred or intense dislike. Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a moral or emotional revulsion.

Examples

“The public showed great abhorrence for the crime.”

“The committee expressed its deep abhorrence for the unethical practices that had been uncovered.”

“His face was a mask of abhorrence as he witnessed the destruction of the ancient library, a site of immense cultural significance.”

Examples

simple

“The public showed great abhorrence for the crime.”

contextual

“The committee expressed its deep abhorrence for the unethical practices that had been uncovered.”

complex

“His face was a mask of abhorrence as he witnessed the destruction of the ancient library, a site of immense cultural significance.”

Etymology

From abhorrent + -ence.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

VERB

NOUN

abhorrence(C1)

ADJECTIVE

Related words

abhorredabhorrentlyabhorring

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Rare
Level
C1 · Advanced
Updated

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