repugnant

[ ri-puhg-nuhnt ]

adjective

1. distasteful, objectionable, or offensive:

   a repugnant smell.

2. making opposition; averse.
3. opposed or contrary, as in nature or character.

   Synonyms: hostile, adverse, antagonistic

repugnant

/ rɪˈpʌɡnənt /

adjective

1. repellent to the senses; causing aversion
2. distasteful; offensive; disgusting
3. contradictory; inconsistent or incompatible

Derived Forms

• reˈpugnance, noun
• reˈpugnantly, adverb

Other Words From

• re·pugnant·ly adverb
• unre·pugnant adjective
• unre·pugnant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of repugnant¹

1350–1400; Middle English repugnaunt < Middle French < Latin repugnant- (stem of repugnāns, present participle of repugnāre ), equivalent to repugn ( āre ) to repugn + -ant- -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of repugnant¹

C14: from Latin repugnāns resisting; see repugn

Example Sentences

It is disappointing and, frankly, frightening that Thompson walked away from his repugnant Sea World excursion scot-free.

From The Daily Beast

There may even be a part of him that he himself does not recognize, a second self that is capable of otherwise repugnant violence.

From The Daily Beast

But his severe lack of athletic integrity is what is unequivocally repugnant about Ronaldo.

From The Daily Beast

Governor Andrew Cuomo is even attacking it—this is sweet—as a plan that would create “repugnant inequality” across the state.

From The Daily Beast

If the actual facts are so repugnant to you, then why embellish them?

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, the more repugnant the means, the stronger the test of one's nobility and devotion.

From Project Gutenberg

"I could not go alone," said Ruth, and her tone was that of one still battling with a notion that is repugnant.

From Project Gutenberg

To be sure, he might kill the dog with the hatchet, but such butchery was repugnant to him, and he quickly dismissed the idea.

From Project Gutenberg

Money might save him; but there was something repugnant in the thought of leaving the whole burden of disgrace upon Mysie.

From Project Gutenberg

Nevertheless, it is repugnant as well as absurd to claim that anything could be begotten or born without having had a beginning.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abhorrent
• abominable
• contradictory
• disgusting
• distasteful
• incompatible
• objectionable
• odious
• revolting
• vile