adj
repugnant
rih-PUHG-nuhnt
Repugnant (adj) means So offensive or distasteful that it causes strong disgust. Example: “The idea of testing cosmetics on animals was repugnant to her.”
adj
1
So offensive or distasteful that it causes strong disgust.
"The idea of testing cosmetics on animals was repugnant to her."
"He found the politician's remarks utterly repugnant."
2
In direct conflict with something else.
"The new bylaw was repugnant to the existing constitution."
How to use repugnant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtremely distasteful or morally offensive.
Easily confused with
pugnacious
Common pairings
find something repugnant
morally repugnant
repugnant to the senses
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more repugnant
- Superlative
- most repugnant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The idea of testing cosmetics on animals was _____ to her.
Etymology
From Latin repugnare, "to fight against," from re- ("against") plus pugnare ("to fight") — related to "pugnacious."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “repugnant” mean?
The word “repugnant” means so offensive or distasteful that it causes strong disgust. In plain terms, extremely distasteful or morally offensive.
How do you pronounce “repugnant”?
“Repugnant” is pronounced rih-PUHG-nuhnt (/ɹɪˈpʌɡnənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “repugnant” in a sentence?
Here is “repugnant” used in a sentence: “The idea of testing cosmetics on animals was repugnant to her.”
What part of speech is “repugnant”?
“Repugnant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “repugnant” come from?
The word “repugnant” comes from Latin. From Latin repugnare, "to fight against," from re- ("against") plus pugnare ("to fight") — related to "pugnacious.".
How many meanings does “repugnant” have?
“Repugnant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: so offensive or distasteful that it causes strong disgust.
