Repugnant To: Standard Pattern
Repugnant To: Standard Pattern records the directly documented construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than inventing a broader prohibition.
Use “repugnant to” when something causes strong dislike, disgust, or moral objection for a person or group.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| cause strong disgust, dislike, or moral objection to a person/group | repugnant to + person/group | Use “to” to introduce the experiencer or evaluator. |
| describe conflict with a principle or standard | repugnant to + principle/value | The complement can name the standard with which something is strongly incompatible. |
| mean merely uncommon or mildly disliked | choose a weaker word | “Repugnant” is strong and should not be diluted into a neutral preference. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Do you mean strongly disgusting, objectionable, or incompatible with someone’s principles?
If yes: Use “repugnant to.”
If no: If the reaction is only mild or neutral, choose a less forceful adjective.
Examples
The proposal was repugnant to many members of the group.
“To” introduces the people who find it strongly objectionable.
The practice was repugnant to her sense of fairness.
The complement names the principle with which it conflicts.
A minor stylistic preference is usually too weak for “repugnant.”
The adjective carries strong negative force.
Further guidance
Construction
Use “repugnant to” when something causes strong dislike, disgust, or moral objection for a person or group.
Style Boundary
The adjective can also appear without a following complement; this guide covers the directly documented “to” construction only.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- REPUGNANT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Cambridge dictionary evidence for repugnant to as a documented construction.