ripugnante
/ri.puɲˈɲan.te/
The English word "repugnant" can be translated into Italian as ripugnante. Wiktionary also lists aborrevole.
Meaning: offensive or repulsive, arousing disgust or aversion (adj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| ripugnante | /ri.puɲˈɲan.te/ |
| aborrevole | /a.borˈre.vo.le/ |
Both ripugnante and aborrevole are used to describe something offensive, repulsive or arousing disgust and aversion.
Which one should you use?
While ripugnante is a direct cognate of the English word, it is most often used to describe things that cause physical or moral disgust. In contrast, aborrevole often carries a stronger connotation of being morally abominable or heinous.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both ripugnante and aborrevole are adjectives that do not change their ending based on gender, but they must agree in number with the noun they modify. For example, the plural form of ripugnante is ripugnanti.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ri.puɲˈɲan.te/. It has four syllables, with the stress on the third syllable.
Did you know?
- While ripugnante describes the feeling of disgust, the root verb ripugnare is used in Italian legal language to describe two laws or clauses that are 'inconsistent' or 'contradictory'.
- In Italian, the root of ripugnante comes from the Latin 'repugnare', which literally means 'to fight back' or 'to resist'.
- To express extreme disgust, Italians often pair ripugnante with the word schifoso. While ripugnante is more formal, schifoso is the common visceral reaction to something gross.
Examples in context
- Quella situazione è ripugnanteThat situation is repugnant
- Le sue azioni sono riprovevoli e ripugnantiHis actions are reprehensible and repugnant
- Che schifoso!How repugnant!
- La sua condotta verso gli animali è ripugnante.His behavior towards animals is repugnant.
- Non capisco come possa mangiare qualcosa di così schifoso.I don't understand how he can eat something so repugnant.
- Quella scena del film era davvero orrenda!That scene in the movie was truly repugnant!
- Trova quell'idea davvero ripugnante.She finds that idea truly repugnant.
- Il comportamento del ladro era ripugnante.The thief's behavior was repugnant.
- È un concetto ripugnante per molti.It is a repugnant concept to many.
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are discussing a controversial news article.
- ChiaraHai letto quell'articolo sul crimine?Did you read that article about the crime?
- AlessandroSì, è stata una storia ripugnante.Yes, it was a repugnant story.
- ChiaraSì, mi ha disgustato molto.Yes, it disgusted me a lot.
- AlessandroÈ davvero difficile da dimenticare.It is really hard to forget.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “repugnant” translations and entries ripugnante, aborrevole, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aborrevole, ripugnante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
