repugnant
What does "repugnant" mean?
The word "repugnant" describes something so offensive or distasteful that it causes a strong feeling of physical or moral revulsion. Think of it as the ultimate "yuck" factor; it isn't just something you dislike, it is something that clashes violently with your sense of what is right, clean, or acceptable. Because it is a strong, formal term, it is best reserved for situations involving serious moral objections or extreme physical disgust. You might hear it in legal contexts regarding "repugnant behavior" or in literary descriptions of something foul, but you would rarely use it in casual conversation to describe a simple dislike for a food or a movie.
"repugnant" in conversation
Discussing a policy
I find their new hiring policy completely repugnant.
I find their new hiring policy completely repugnant.
It definitely goes against everything we stand for.
It definitely goes against everything we stand for.
Used here to express strong moral disapproval.
Describing a scene
The smell coming from the basement was truly repugnant.
The smell coming from the basement was truly repugnant.
I could barely stay in the house for five minutes.
I could barely stay in the house for five minutes.
Used here to describe physical revulsion.
"repugnant" in a sentence
The smell of the rotting garbage was repugnant.
The smell of the rotting garbage was repugnant.
He found the idea of lying to his friends morally repugnant.
He found the idea of lying to his friends morally repugnant.
The proposed legislation contains clauses that are repugnant to the fundamental principles of justice.
The proposed legislation contains clauses that are repugnant to the fundamental principles of justice.
