# abomination

/əˌbɑməˈneɪʃən/ (US) · /ɐbˌɒmɪnˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abomination
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a disgusting thing or act

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

something that is very bad, hateful, or disgusting.

For teachers: a thing or action that causes intense disgust or moral hatred. Countable in this sense.

- The way the prisoners were treated was an abomination to human rights.
- Critics described the new concrete skyscraper as an architectural abomination that ruined the historic skyline of the city.

### 2. religious/moral offense

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

something that is considered very wrong or shameful, especially in a religious way.

For teachers: an object or practice that is considered shamefully vile or ritually unclean, often within a theological context.

- In some ancient cultures, eating certain animals was considered an abomination.
- The prophet spoke out against the idols, calling them an abomination in the eyes of the temple authorities.

Teaching tip: This sense is often found in older translations of religious texts like the Bible.

### 3. feeling of hatred

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

a feeling of very strong dislike or disgust.

For teachers: the intense feeling of detestation or loathing. Uncountable in this sense.

- He looked at the cruel man with a sense of pure abomination.
- The public held the corrupt politician in utter abomination after the scandal was revealed.

Usage: Usually follows 'in' (e.g., 'to hold someone in abomination').

Teaching tip: This usage is rare in modern speech; 'loathing' or 'hatred' is much more common today.

## Examples

- The cruel treatment of the animals was an abomination.
- Many critics viewed the new concrete skyscraper as an architectural abomination that ruined the historic skyline.
- In the eyes of the traditionalists, the proposed changes to the ancient ritual were nothing short of an abomination that threatened their cultural identity.

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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.