repugn: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / ArchaicFormal, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “repugn” mean?
To oppose or resist.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To oppose or resist; to be inconsistent or incompatible with.
To fight against; to feel disgust or strong aversion towards something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic in both varieties. No significant regional difference in usage.
Connotations
Connotes formal, deliberate, and principled opposition, often in a legal or moral context.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern corpora for both. Slightly higher historical attestation in British legal texts, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “repugn” in a Sentence
[Subject] repugns [Object] (transitive)[Subject] repugns against [Object] (archaic, with preposition)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “repugn” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The local magistrate could not repugn the king's command.
- A by-law must not repugn the general law of the realm.
American English
- The state law was found to repugn the Constitution's commerce clause.
- He would not repugn his father's final wishes.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard. Use 'repugnantly'.]
American English
- [Not standard. Use 'repugnantly'.]
adjective
British English
- [Not standard. Use 'repugnant'.]
American English
- [Not standard. Use 'repugnant'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, may appear in historical, philosophical, or legal discourse discussing conflicts of principles or laws.
Everyday
Not used in contemporary everyday speech.
Technical
Possibly in historical legal analysis to describe contradictory statutes.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “repugn”
- Using it as a common synonym for 'dislike'.
- Confusing it with the adjective 'repugnant'.
- Using it in informal contexts.
- Incorrectly conjugating (e.g., 'repugns' for past tense).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and considered archaic. The adjective 'repugnant' is the common form in modern English.
'Repugn' is far more formal, archaic, and often implies a conflict with a principle, law, or authority. 'Oppose' is neutral and common.
Not directly. The verb means 'to oppose/fight against'. The feeling of disgust is conveyed by the adjective 'repugnant' (e.g., 'The idea is repugnant to me').
For most learners, no. It is more important to recognize it passively in older texts. Focus on 'oppose', 'resist', and understand 'repugnant'.
To oppose or resist.
Repugn is usually formal, literary, archaic in register.
Repugn: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈpjuːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈpjuːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common modern idioms. Historical: 'to repugn and deny']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'REfuse with disPUGNancy' (pugnacious means eager to fight). To REPUGN is to fight back or refuse strongly.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORAL/LEGAL CONFLICT IS PHYSICAL COMBAT (e.g., 'repugn the decree' frames opposition as fighting).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'repugn' MOST likely to be found today?