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

He has left a long trail of repugnant statements about women and minorities.

From Los Angeles Times

The unanswerable question at the moment is how much of his expansive, repugnant, and frequently grandiose policy vision does he intend to pursue?

From Slate

The specifics are as repugnant, if not more so.

From Salon

Shyne, who previously condemned Combs’ “repugnant behavior,” concluded his press conference reiterating the negative impact the disgraced music and media entrepreneur had on his career.

From Los Angeles Times

“For at least 20 years, I have found that repugnant,” said Goldberg, who is not running for reelection and will retire at the end of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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