repugnant

[ri-puhg-nuhnt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR repugnant ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

distasteful, objectionable, or offensive: a repugnant smell.

making opposition; averse.

opposed or contrary, as in nature or character.

Nearby words

Origin of repugnant

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

SYNONYMS FOR repugnant

3. antagonistic, adverse, hostile.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR repugnant ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsre·pug·nant·ly, adverbun·re·pug·nant, adjectiveun·re·pug·nant·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for repugnant

It is disappointing and, frankly, frightening that Thompson walked away from his repugnant Sea World excursion scot-free.
Texas Court Says Upskirt Photos Are Art|Emily Shire|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Governor Andrew Cuomo is even attacking it—this is sweet—as a plan that would create “repugnant inequality” across the state.
New York City’s Mayor: Consultant or Politician?|Stuart Stevens|March 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the actual facts are so repugnant to you, then why embellish them?
The Woody Allen Allegations: Not So Fast|Robert B. Weide|January 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This struck many observers (yours truly included) as not only absurd but repugnant.
The Supremes Get It Right, Naturally.|Sam Kean|June 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Moreover, taking the life of a sentient being is repugnant, a sin that prevents many devout Buddhists from slaughtering animals.
Violence on Everest|Peter Zuckerman, Amanda Padoan|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I stood at my chamber-window, torn by a variety of purposes, and swayed alternately by repugnant arguments.
Arthur Mervyn|Charles Brockden Brown
The thought of a traitor at the experimental station was repugnant to the Swifts and to Bud as well.
Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X|Victor Appleton
After some search the hut where they have taken refuge is found, and then takes place a horrible and repugnant scene.
The Putumayo, The Devil's Paradise|Walter Hardenburg
Inspiration is only necessary to give authority to that which is repugnant to human reason.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 6 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
Before leaving this repugnant milieu, one may still consider the leech.
The Natural Philosophy of Love|Remy de Gourmont

British Dictionary definitions for repugnant

repugnant

adjective

repellent to the senses; causing aversion

distasteful; offensive; disgusting

contradictory; inconsistent or incompatible

Derived Formsrepugnance or rare repugnancy, nounrepugnantly, adverb

Word Origin for repugnant

C14: from Latin repugnāns resisting; see repugn

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

Word Origin and History for repugnant

repugnant

adj.

late 14c., "contrary, contradictory," from Old French repugnant "contradictory, opposing" or directly from Latin repugnantem (nominative repugnans), present participle of repugnare "to resist, fight back, oppose; disagree, be incompatible," from re- "back" (see re-) + pugnare "to fight" (see pugnacious). Meaning "distasteful, objectionable" is from 1777.