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Synonyms

disgusting

American  
[dis-guhs-ting, dih-skuhs-] / dɪsˈgʌs tɪŋ, dɪˈskʌs- /

adjective

  1. causing disgust; offensive to the physical, moral, or aesthetic taste.

    Synonyms:
    detestable, abhorrent, repugnant, revolting, repulsive, nauseous, sickening, loathsome

disgusting British  
/ dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ /

adjective

  1. Also (rare): disgustful.  loathsome; repugnant

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of disgusting

First recorded in 1745–55; disgust + -ing 2

Explanation

Something disgusting is awful in a way that makes you want to throw up — it's really, really yucky. Nobody likes disgusting things. Stepping in dog poo is disgusting — in other words, revolting and gross. Some people think spiders are disgusting; others find meatloaf disgusting; it just depends on what your tastes and tolerances are. If a politician is caught taking bribes, people say "That behavior is disgusting!" If your favorite team loses 20 games in a row, that might seem disgusting. Pretty much anything horrible, terrible, or nasty can be called disgusting.

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Vocabulary lists containing disgusting

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It’s French fries and hot dogs and hamburgers and ice cream. It’s disgusting, isn’t it?”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

"For me, it's disgusting ... I don't want to see that. I love nature. I love life. Not things that bring death."

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Furious Hearts head coach Derek McInnes said it was a "disgusting" decision.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

It’s the cheapest, or the most lovably disgusting, and it couldn’t be replaced.

From Slate • May 5, 2026

Not just because my throat was hurting, but because cucumbers are disgusting.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

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