repugnant

adjective

re·pug·nant ri-ˈpəg-nənt

Synonyms of repugnant next

: incompatible, inconsistent

archaic : hostile

: 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 In time, the idea of a strait-laced life starts to sound a little repugnant, the idea of a job behind a desk or counter a touch insulting. —

John Koopman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2023 Similarly, Will slowly shifts from irritating to repugnant, leaving the audience with no one to root for, but still determined to see who might come out on top in the couple’s increasingly retaliative relationship. —

Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 14 Sep. 2023 Now safely behind bars, the repugnant movie mogul has New York Times journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor to thank. —

Deanna Janes, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 July 2023 Not long ago, the act of saving sounded repugnant to me. —

Darnell Mayberry | , cleveland, 15 July 2023 To not learn our lesson this time, when trillions upon trillions may depend on it, would be truly repugnant. —

WIRED, 27 June 2023 The catch is that showrunners who are successful despite their repugnant behavior have no incentive to change. —

Jordan Riefe, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2023 Though repugnant, this was at least an intellectually honest position, and, on that basis, the U.S. refused to ratify the conventions. —

Christy Hoffman, Fortune, 29 May 2023 Has there ever been a concept so repugnant as the private college counselor? —

Evan Mandery, Time, 2 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repugnant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of repugnant was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century