adjective

abhorrent

ub-HOR-unt/əbˈhɔːrənt/

Causing strong disgust or moral disapproval.

The visitor finds the factory's pollution of the stream abhorrent.

A visitor reacts with moral disgust to a factory pipe dumping dirty water into a stream, no graphic harm.

Etymology

abLatinaway from

+horrLatinbristle, shudder

+entLatinpresent participle ending

The pieces evoke shuddering and shrinking away from something. The adjective shifted from describing someone recoiling or strongly opposed to describing what provokes that disgust or rejection.

In context

Kate and Jimbo 31:13

that is absolutely abhorrent from our team absolutely disgusting

*Warning* Serious show discussing Dele's Frank interview. Asthmatic & Mia joining me.

More examples

The report describes abhorrent conditions inside the prison.
Such discrimination is abhorrent to her.
He refused to defend conduct he considered morally abhorrent.

Forms

abhorrent · more abhorrent · most abhorrent

Similar words

repugnant: Similarly expresses strong disgust, often toward ideas or behavior.
hateful: May describe hostility as well as something deserving hatred.