disgusting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "disgusting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express strong disapproval or dislike of something. For example: "The restaurant's food was absolutely disgusting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's disgusting.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's a shame, disgusting, low-level, has nothing to do with reality," she told the Guardian.

The Guardian

On the phone from New York, during a brief break from shooting series three of the show – "Standing here in a robe, drinking a cold, disgusting coffee with a gauze wrapped around me because we're doing a parody of Human Centipede," she says by way of scene-setting – the comedian agrees that there's an element of release in acting out these grotesques.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But I can't take a sly, disgusting reference to the Great Famine of 1845-1852, sometimes known as the potato famine.

The Guardian - Opinion

This work has largely been at the rear of the hospital so, to lend some balance, the front is disgusting.

The Guardian

That a five-year-old can die from one day to the next from something as stupid as the squits because governments, funders, most people refuse to talk or think about it: that's disgusting.

The Guardian - Opinion

The hucksterism is pretty disgusting when you think about it.

The Guardian - Arts

She called Jenkins's treatment of parents disgusting.

The Guardian

It is spending two hours making a meal for them, only for them to decide it is "disgusting!" before tasting it and declining a single mouthful.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Another columnist, Timofei Sergeitsev, went further, stating that the "disgusting" American meddling in football was meant to "take the 2018 World Cup away from Russia and demonstratively bring the last independent organisation in the world under its control".

The Guardian - Sport

Iris Robinson, a former DUP MP and the wife of the party's leader, described homosexuality as "disgusting, loathsome, nauseating, wicked and vile", as well as an "abomination" that could be "cured".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disgusting", ensure the context warrants such a strong expression of dislike. Consider if a milder term like "unpleasant" or "distasteful" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "disgusting" too frequently, as it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound overly negative. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "revolting", "repulsive", or "offensive" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The word "disgusting" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that evokes strong feelings of revulsion. Ludwig examples show it describing food, behavior, and even political situations. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of its grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disgusting" is a common adjective used to express strong dislike or revulsion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its frequent use in News & Media highlights its relevance in conveying negative opinions. While powerful, it's essential to consider the context and audience to determine if a milder term might be more appropriate. Using synonyms like "revolting" or "distasteful" can add nuance and prevent overuse. As Ludwig examples show, its impact is most effective when used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revolting

Focuses on causing intense aversion or revulsion; similar in intensity to "disgusting".

repulsive

Emphasizes the tendency to repel or drive away; highlights the physical or emotional aversion.

nauseating

Specifically indicates causing a feeling of nausea or sickness; focuses on the physical reaction of disgust.

abhorrent

Indicates inspiring strong dislike or repugnance; emphasizes a moral or ethical dimension of disgust.

loathsome

Suggests intense hatred and disgust; implies a strong emotional aversion.

offensive

Highlights causing displeasure or resentment; focuses on the impact on others' feelings.

vile

Suggests moral wickedness and unpleasantness; emphasizes the extremely unpleasant nature of something.

obnoxious

Indicates being extremely unpleasant or annoying; focuses on the irritating quality of something.

unpleasant

A milder term indicating something not enjoyable or agreeable; less intense than "disgusting".

distasteful

Suggests causing a dislike or aversion; focuses on lacking appeal or being offensive to one's tastes.

FAQs

What does "disgusting" mean?

"Disgusting" means causing a strong feeling of dislike, revulsion, or intense disapproval.

How can I use "disgusting" in a sentence?

You can use "disgusting" to describe something that evokes a strong feeling of revulsion. For example: "The food was absolutely disgusting" or "His behavior was truly disgusting".

What are some synonyms for "disgusting"?

Some synonyms for "disgusting" include "revolting", "repulsive", "nauseating", and "offensive". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "disgusting" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "disgusting" is a strong word and might be too informal or emotionally charged for some formal contexts. Consider using a more neutral term like "unpleasant" or "distasteful" in professional or academic writing.