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repugnance
/rɪˈpʌɡnəns/
intense disgust
The repugnance she felt toward the idea of eating insects was overwhelming.
She felt extreme disgust at the thought of eating insects.
formal
extreme disgust or aversion
His repugnance for violence made him refuse to watch war films.
He avoided war films because he strongly disliked violence.
The court expressed repugnance at the defendant's cruelty toward the victim.
The court showed strong disapproval of the defendant's cruel actions.
Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe moral or emotional revulsion.
Collocations
feel repugnanceto experience strong disgustexpress repugnanceto show strong disapproval
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with similar words
Repugnance is stronger than 'dislike' and implies moral or emotional opposition. Use it when the feeling is intense and involves a sense of right or wrong.
Gold Rule
Use in formal contexts
Repugnance is typically used in formal writing, speeches, or discussions about ethics, morality, or strong personal feelings.
Word Origin
From Latin *repugnantia*, from *repugnare* meaning 'to resist or oppose', combining *re-* (back, against) and *pugnare* (to fight).
Usage Notes
Repugnance implies a moral or emotional opposition rather than just physical disgust. It is stronger than 'dislike' and often carries a sense of judgment or condemnation.
Word Breakdown
re-
back, against
prefix-pugn-
to fight
root-ance
state or quality of
suffixEnglish Dictionary