repugnance

noun

ri-ˈpəg-nən(t)s How to pronounce repugnance (audio)
Definition of repugnancenext
as in disgust
a dislike so strong as to cause stomach upset or queasiness could barely contain her repugnance of frogs and nearly threw up when she found out we'd have to dissect one in science class

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of repugnance In this attitude was a strange commingling of repugnance and desire, alienation and belonging, intimacy and coldness. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026 In fact, the retort could lead people to dangerously belittle the scourge and repugnance of real anti-Semitism. — Salam Fayyad, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2024 The series gets darker and more grotesque as the season progresses, and our uncomfortable laughter eventually fades into a grimace of repugnance. — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 10 July 2023 Though historically dubious, Thirteentherism is rhetorically useful in mobilizing moral repugnance at chattel slavery to protest present-day prison conditions, as if current abuses aren’t sufficient cause for indignation. — Sean Wilentz, The New York Review of Books, 1 Dec. 2022 Some combination of awe and repugnance and confusion that she’s spent so many of her obviously prodigious talents spinning stories for men who need their stories spun. — Monica Hesse, Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2020 The debate still rages, fuelled more by the wisdom of repugnance than by data. — Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2010
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repugnance
  1. disgust
  2. hatred
  3. distaste
  4. horror
Noun
  • Vicki could barely hide her disgust that Luann’s antics get more respect than her insurance business.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Political radicals have found purchase in Democratic primaries in part because of disgust with our present system of capitalist greed, self-dealing and multi-card monte with all cards in the president du jour’s hands.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of disgust
Noun
  • His hatred of the Islamic State group appears genuine, and American cooperation with Damascus against the terrorist network will benefit the Syrians who suffered most under its rule.
    — Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Yet Christ Jesus consistently refused to let fear, hatred, or sin define his view of anyone’s identity.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of hatred
Noun
  • The designers were mostly united in their distaste for what are known on the playa as Sparkle Ponies.
    — Henry Alford, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Evidence isn’t scarce as to why Canadians have a newfound distaste for the White House.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of distaste
Noun
  • After a four-year absence from British television following a horror crash involving former host Andrew Flintoff, the BBC said that work is underway on a new season.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Paranormal Activity, the play, builds to the sort of slick and grisly finale that would be just right for the end of a cruel horror movie, but that lands awkwardly onstage.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of horror

Browse Nearby Words

repudiations
repugnance
repugnances
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Repugnance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repugnance. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All