Home » Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

Discussion Forum (Archived)

Please consider registering
Guest
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Min search length: 3 characters / Max search length: 84 characters
The forums are currently locked and only available for read only access
sp_TopicIcon
Repulsive vs repugnant
Guest
1
2013/03/11 - 4:19am

I have done a quick check of a couple of dictionaries, and it appears that "repulsive", "repugnant", "revolting" and "repellent" (inter alia) are  all reciprocally listed as synonyms for each of the other words. My own sense is that the difference,  most particularly as between "repulsive" and "repugnant", turns on whether the object of (revulsion/repugnance/etc) is perceived as personal or extrapersonal. By that I mean, for example, if a person hates olives, the prospect or thought of that person himself/herself eating olives is "repugnant" to that person. However, the sight or account of someone else eating olives is "repulsive". Am I forcing a difference here, or does anyone else have the same sense?

Guest
2
2013/03/11 - 4:59am

I think you are onto something here. I suppose the nuance might stem from one's inability to separate physically from oneself.

"Others find my behavior repulsive" sounds just fine.
"I find his behavior repulsive," likewise.
"I find my behavior repulsive" has a bit of semantic dissonance about it. It sounds unlikely, but not impossible. "I find my behavior repugnant" does not have that same feel of xenonymy.

Guest
3
2013/03/11 - 8:50am
Lulos, I don't sense much of that. 'Repugnant'  is often associated with morality, and feelings of moral indignation.
'Repellent' seems very clinical and unemotional- repellent to insects.
 
Still, I see in your point an agreement with what I recently brought up elsewhere, which was how wrong it can be to think of the synonyms in the thesaurus as interchangeable.  
Forum Timezone: UTC -7
Show Stats
Administrators:
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Moderators:
Grant Barrett
Top Posters:
Newest Members:
A Conversation with Dr Astein Osei
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 1
Topics: 3647
Posts: 18912

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 618
Members: 1268
Moderators: 1
Admins: 2
Most Users Ever Online: 1147
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 112
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)

Recent posts