repugnant
adjective
re·pug·nant
ri-ˈpəg-nənt 
1
2
archaic
: hostile
3
: exciting distaste or aversion
repugnant language
a morally repugnant practice
repugnantly
adverb
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
Most people would find a neighbor who purposefully starves and tortures their dogs morally repugnant.
—
Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
The reported accession of Geier isn’t the only indication of how the department, whose programs were until recently celebrated as the gold standard of government science, has become a haven of a repugnant anti-science mythmaking and a threat to public health.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
The term has been applied to other groups as well: Teachers, health care workers, government officials and public safety professionals may encounter mandates that threaten to compromise their values, witness morally repugnant behavior or become a victim of somebody else’s transgression.
—Christina Caron, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Actions mattered more than words, and Nuwan’s were as repugnant as elephant dung.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repugnant
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
The reported accession of Geier isn’t the only indication of how the department, whose programs were until recently celebrated as the gold standard of government science, has become a haven of a repugnant anti-science mythmaking and a threat to public health.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
The term has been applied to other groups as well: Teachers, health care workers, government officials and public safety professionals may encounter mandates that threaten to compromise their values, witness morally repugnant behavior or become a victim of somebody else’s transgression.
—Christina Caron, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Actions mattered more than words, and Nuwan’s were as repugnant as elephant dung.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repugnant
Cite this Entry
“Repugnant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repugnant. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
repugnant
adjective
re·pug·nant
ri-ˈpəg-nənt
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
M. A. KellyLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share