abominate

IPA/əˈbɒmɪneɪt/
IPA/əˈbɑːmɪneɪt/

abominate — verb

  • abominatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • abominateshe / she / it
  • abominatedpast simple
  • abominating-ing form

1. to feel very strong dislike for something, especially because you think it is cr

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to feel very strong dislike for something, especially because you think it is cruel, evil, or disgusting.

Example

Lauren abominated the way her colleagues spread lies about the new intern.

abominate + the way + [clause]

Darius had always abominated any form of bullying at school.

abominate + any form of [abstract noun]

Common collocations
  • abominate cruelty
  • abominate injustice
  • abominate violence
  • abominate the thought of
Synonyms
  • abhor

    suggests moral disgust rather than personal hatred; slightly less intense

  • detest

    more common in everyday speech; implies strong dislike without the moral dimension

  • loathe

    more physical and visceral; often used for tastes and smells rather than moral issues

Antonyms
  • admire

    to regard with respect and approval

  • cherish

    to hold dear and protect

Grammar Patterns

abominate + noun phrase

abominate + the way + clause

Usage Note

This word is formal and literary. The object is usually an abstract quality or type of behaviour rather than a physical object.

Word family

  • abominable
    adjectiveC1
  • abomination
    nounC1
  • abominably
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe strong dislike, but they differ in intensity and context. Hate is the most common and general — you can hate a food, a person, or an idea. Detest is stronger and more emotional, often suggesting personal disgust. Abhor adds a moral dimension: you abhor something you believe is evil or wrong. Loathe is the most visceral — it suggests a physical, almost sickening reaction to something. Abominate sits closest to abhor in meaning, but is rarer and more formal, with an even stronger sense of moral outrage. For example, you might hate waiting in line, detest rude behaviour, abhor racial discrimination, and loathe the smell of rotting food.

hate ↗detest ↗abhor ↗loathe ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • the idea of
  • the thought of
  • the way
  • any form of

Etymology

Latin

From Latin abōminārī, meaning 'to pray against an evil omen'. The word combines ab- ('away from') and ōmen ('a sign of what will happen'). In ancient Rome, people would pray to avoid bad omens. Over time, this strong wish to avoid something bad changed into the meaning of intense hatred.

First known use

1597

1597, in the meaning defined above