What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abhor
Example
I abhor the idea of animal cruelty. [abhor: verb]
Example
The smell of rotten eggs makes me abhor them. [abhor: present tense]
detest
Example
I detest people who lie. [detest: verb]
Example
The thought of eating snails makes me detest French cuisine. [detest: present tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Detest is more commonly used than abhor in everyday language. Abhor is more formal and less common than detest.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between abhor and detest?
Both abhor and detest are formal words and are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, abhor is more formal and less commonly used than detest.
