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abhor

Verb

IPA /əbˈhɔː(r)/

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Meaning in plain English

To feel very strong dislike for something, especially behaviour that you believe is cruel, dishonest or morally wrong.

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Pronunciation

abhor/əbˈhɔː(r)/

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Someone bullies a classmate
You strongly reject that behaviour
You speak up against it

To abhor bullying is to feel intense dislike for it, especially because it is wrong.

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I abhor bullying and always speak up when I see it.
Our tutor abhors plagiarism and expects everyone to acknowledge their sources.

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I ________ bullying and always speak up when I see it.

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abhor — To feel very strong dislike for something, especially behaviour that you believe is cruel, dishonest or morally wrong.

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To feel very strong dislike for something, especially behaviour that you believe is cruel, dishonest or morally wrong.

Compare: I abhor bullying and always speak up when I see it.

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Word origin

From Latin abhorrere, combining elements meaning away from and shudder.

Did you know?

The dictionary illustrates abhor with cruelty and corruption, both things people may reject on moral grounds.

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