abhorrer

A literary, formal verb meaning "to abhor" — a deep, almost visceral hatred or disgust, stronger and more bookish than détester or haïr. It shows up in elevated or older writing far more than in everyday conversation.

• Il abhorre la violence sous toutes ses formes. — He abhors violence in all its forms.
• Elle abhorre le mensonge par-dessus tout. — She abhors lying above all else.
• Ce personnage abhorre la médiocrité. — This character abhors mediocrity.

Using abhorrer in casual conversation about disliking something minor (a food, a chore) will sound comically overwrought — it's reserved for genuinely strong, often moral revulsion, closer to détester intensément than to "not liking."

Often confused with détester.