Select the best single word that can substitute the phrase "To regard with disgust and hatred."

Introduction / Context:
This one word substitution question asks you to choose the word that best matches the phrase "To regard with disgust and hatred." Such questions test your knowledge of precise verbs that capture strong emotional attitudes, which is useful for both expressive writing and accurate reading comprehension.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Phrase: "To regard with disgust and hatred."
• Options: tease, abhor, ridicule, sneer.
• You must pick the word whose meaning matches the phrase most closely.

Concept / Approach:
The phrase includes two strong emotions: disgust and hatred. The correct word should therefore imply a deep, intense dislike, not just mild mockery or joking behaviour. While several options describe negative behaviours, only one of them indicates a deep emotional reaction rather than an outward expression of mockery.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine "tease". This means to make fun of someone, often in a playful or slightly irritating way, but it does not necessarily include hatred or strong disgust. Step 2: Examine "abhor". "To abhor" means to hate something deeply, to view it with extreme dislike and repulsion. This directly matches the idea of disgust and hatred. Step 3: Examine "ridicule". This means to mock or make fun of someone in a scornful way. It focuses on outward behaviour, not the inner feeling of disgust and hatred. Step 4: Examine "sneer". "To sneer" means to smile or speak in a contemptuous or mocking way, again referring to external expression rather than deep hatred. Step 5: Conclude that "abhor" is the only word that captures the strong internal feeling described in the phrase.

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute each option into an example sentence: "Many people abhor cruelty to animals." This means they regard it with disgust and hatred, matching the phrase exactly. "Many people ridicule cruelty to animals." This sounds odd because ridicule is directed at people, not actions, and it suggests mockery rather than deep loathing. "Many people sneer at cruelty to animals." Again, this does not communicate intense hatred. Therefore, "abhor" fits best.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Tease" is usually light or playful and may involve friendly joking, which is far weaker than hatred. "Ridicule" focuses on scornful laughter or speech, not necessarily strong disgust. "Sneer" refers to a facial expression or tone of voice indicating contempt, which is not the same as deep hatred and disgust.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse expressive actions like mocking, sneering, or teasing with inner feelings like hatred and disgust. Exam questions often include such distractors. To avoid mistakes, focus on whether the word refers to behaviour (what you do) or emotion (what you feel). "Abhor" clearly describes an internal emotional reaction, which aligns perfectly with the phrase given.

Final Answer:
The correct one word substitute is "abhor".