repugnant

adjective

re·​pug·​nant ri-ˈpəg-nənt How to pronounce repugnant (audio)
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 Of all the repugnant statements that Trump and his allies have made, the most revealing may have come from Vance. Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 The war in Ukraine is just the most recent example of a fight that grinds on not because of strategic dilemmas alone but because both sides find the idea of settlement repugnant. Christopher Blattman, Foreign Affairs, 29 Nov. 2022 But even the idea of it is repugnant to some Afghan women, like Sahar Fetrat, an Afghan feminist and researcher with Human Rights Watch. Fariba Akbari, NPR, 12 Sep. 2024 But one telling moment gives voice to what otherwise goes unsaid—a repugnant reminiscence of Jim Crow violence, addressed to Terry within earshot of the department’s one nonwhite officer, a Black woman named Jessica Sims (Zsané Jhé). Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for repugnant 

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

Dictionary Entries Near repugnant

Cite this Entry

“Repugnant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repugnant. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

repugnant

adjective
re·​pug·​nant ri-ˈpəg-nənt How to pronounce repugnant (audio)
1
2
: causing a feeling of dislike or disgust : repulsive
repugnantly adverb

Legal Definition

repugnant

adjective
re·​pug·​nant ri-ˈpəg-nənt How to pronounce repugnant (audio)
: characterized by contradiction and irreconcilability
the arbitrator's decision was not repugnant to the ActM. A. Kelly

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