different between abhorrent vs scandalous

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin abhorr?ns, abhorr?ntis, present active participle of abhorre? (“abhor”). Equivalent to abhor +? -ent.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /æb?(h)??.?nt/, /?b?(h)??.?nt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /æb?h??.?nt/, /æb?h??.?nt/

Adjective

abhorrent (comparative more abhorrent, superlative most abhorrent)

1. (archaic) Inconsistent with, or far removed from, something; strongly opposed [Late 16^th century.]
2. Contrary to something; discordant. [Mid 17^th century.]
3. Abhorring; detesting; having or showing abhorrence; loathing. [Mid 18^th century.]
4. Detestable or repugnant. [Early 19^th century.]

Usage notes

• Nouns to which abhorrent is often applied: behavior, act, crime, practice, thing.
• (opposed): abhorrent is typically followed by from.
• (contrary): abhorrent is followed by to.

Related terms

Translations

References

Further reading

• abhorrent in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• abhorrent in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• abhorrent at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• earthborn

French

Verb

abhorrent

1. third-person plural present indicative of abhorrer
2. third-person plural present subjunctive of abhorrer

Latin

Verb

abhorrent

1. third-person plural present active indicative of abhorre?

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin scandalosus, via French scandaleuse; as if scandal + -ous.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?skænd?l?s/

Adjective

scandalous (comparative more scandalous, superlative most scandalous)

1. Wrong, immoral, causing a scandal
   • 1884, Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

     The thing made a big stir in the town, too, and a good many come out flatfooted and said it was scandalous to separate the mother and the children that way.

2. Malicious, defamatory.
   • 1592, Thomas Kyd, The Spanish Tragedie

     These be the scandalous reports of such / As loves not me, and hate my lord too much.

   • 1887, Marie Corelli, Thelma

     I always disregard gossip--it is generally scandalous, and seldom true.
3. Outrageous; exceeding reasonable limits.

Derived terms

• scandalously
• scandalousness

Translations