Abhor vs. Abominate

Attribute	Abhor	Abominate
Definition	Regard with disgust and hatred	Detest or loathe intensely
Intensity	Strong dislike	Intense hatred
Usage	Formal or literary	Stronger and more emotional
Origin	Middle English, from Old English ābōrian	Late Middle English, from Latin abominat- 'regarded as an ill omen'

Definition

Abhor and abominate are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they actually have slightly different meanings. Abhor means to regard with disgust and hatred, while abominate means to detest or loathe intensely. Both words convey a strong sense of dislike, but abominate implies a deeper level of revulsion than abhor.

Usage

Abhor is more commonly used in everyday language, while abominate is considered to be a more formal or literary term. For example, you might say that you abhor the taste of broccoli, but you would be more likely to say that you abominate the actions of a dictator. Abhor is often used to express a general feeling of dislike, while abominate is reserved for situations that evoke a strong emotional response.

Intensity

One key difference between abhor and abominate is the level of intensity they convey. Abhor is a strong word that indicates a deep dislike or hatred, but abominate takes it a step further by expressing a profound sense of disgust or loathing. When you abhor something, you may simply find it distasteful or unpleasant, but when you abominate something, you feel a visceral reaction of repulsion and horror.

Emotional Response

Abhor and abominate both evoke strong emotional responses, but they do so in slightly different ways. Abhor is often used to describe a feeling of aversion or repugnance towards something, while abominate conveys a sense of moral outrage or indignation. When you abhor something, you may simply find it unpleasant, but when you abominate something, you feel a deep sense of moral disgust or abhorrence.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the differences between abhor and abominate:

• I abhor the taste of olives.
• I abominate the cruelty of bullfighting.
• She abhors the sight of blood.
• He abominates the injustice of the legal system.

Conclusion

While abhor and abominate are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings and connotations. Abhor conveys a strong sense of dislike or hatred, while abominate expresses a deeper level of revulsion and moral outrage. Both words evoke strong emotional responses, but abominate is reserved for situations that evoke a profound sense of disgust or loathing. Understanding the differences between these two words can help you choose the right term to convey your feelings accurately.