repugnant

adjective

re·​pug·​nant ri-ˈpəg-nənt 

1

: causing a strong feeling of distaste or aversion

repugnant language

a morally repugnant practice

2

: incompatible, inconsistent

… a seizure with consequences … repugnant to the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution …

—State v. Barcia, 549 A.2d 491 (1988)

3

archaic : hostile

repugnantly adverb

Synonyms of repugnant

• disgusting
• ugly
• sickening
• awful
• horrible
• obnoxious
• hideous
• shocking
• obscene
• offensive
• dreadful

Examples of repugnant in a Sentence

technically speaking, it may not be a violation, but it is certainly repugnant to the spirit of the law

Recent Examples on the Web

Worse, to erase victims is an attempt to shrink the blast radius of the repugnant abuse and crimes committed. — Monica Lewinsky, Vanity Fair, 26 Feb. 2026

However, some previous instances have been fairly repugnant. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026

And Patrick McGoohan in particular is an absolutely repugnant heavy in this movie. — Chris Willman, Variety, 5 May 2026

Charlie, Rachel and Mike’s confessions range between youthfully jerky to downright repugnant. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, opposed, contradictory, incompatible, from Anglo-French, from Latin repugnant-, repugnans, present participle of repugnare to fight against, from re- + pugnare to fight — more at pungent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

repugnant

adjective

re·​pug·​nant ri-ˈpəg-nənt 

1

: incompatible sense 1

2

: causing a feeling of dislike or disgust : repulsive

repugnantly adverb

Legal Definition

repugnant

adjective

re·​pug·​nant ri-ˈpəg-nənt 

: characterized by contradiction and irreconcilability

the arbitrator's decision was not repugnant to the Act

—M. A. Kelly