that was disgusting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was disgusting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or revulsion towards something that has been experienced or observed. Example: "After tasting the dish, I couldn't help but say, 'That was disgusting!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But rabbis denouncing me from the pulpit, and in their Saturday sermon columns well, that was disgusting, and it stung".

The New Yorker

"I remember the toilet in this one club that was disgusting, with one girl puking in the toilet and another having to piss in the sink while others got changed in there.

Vice

I thought that was disgusting.

Independent

I thought that was disgusting, frankly".

The New Yorker

This was misery, but that was disgusting.

The New Yorker

"I thought that was disgusting because, indirectly, it's setting you up for murder".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

La fontaine created an uproar because it introduced the world to a new concept: art that is disgusting.

The Guardian - Books

Things that are disgusting are offensive because of what they are.

BBC

Ew, that's disgusting.

Vice

Don't tell your mom about boys, that's disgusting.

Vice

They weren't like, 'ew, that's disgusting I won't do it', they were like, 'ew that's disgusting – I'll use strawberry lube.'".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was disgusting" to express immediate and strong disapproval of something you have just witnessed or experienced. Ensure the context warrants such a strong expression of revulsion.

Common error

Avoid using "that was disgusting" in professional or academic settings where a more neutral or diplomatic expression of disapproval would be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "that was unacceptable" or "that was inappropriate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was disgusting" primarily functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective negative judgment or strong disapproval of a past event or situation. Ludwig shows this phrase is commonly used to convey a feeling of revulsion or offense.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was disgusting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying strong disapproval or revulsion. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to express a negative evaluation of something in the past. While commonly found in news and media, it's best suited for informal or neutral contexts due to its emotional intensity. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "that was unacceptable". Related phrases such as "that was revolting" or "that was appalling" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Understanding the appropriate register and context will ensure effective communication when expressing feelings of disgust.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was revolting

Revolting implies a strong sense of disgust and aversion, similar to disgusting but potentially more intense.

that was appalling

Appalling suggests something shocking and deeply disturbing, often beyond mere disgust.

that was vile

Vile indicates extreme unpleasantness and repulsiveness, carrying a strong negative connotation.

that was offensive

Offensive means causing someone to feel resentful, upset, or annoyed, which overlaps with disgust but focuses more on the emotional impact.

that was distasteful

Distasteful suggests something unpleasant and unacceptable, though perhaps less intense than disgusting.

that was sickening

Sickening emphasizes the feeling of nausea or revulsion, directly linking to a physical reaction.

that was atrocious

Atrocious denotes something shockingly bad or terrible, extending beyond mere disgust to encompass a wider range of negative qualities.

that was dreadful

Dreadful conveys a sense of extreme unpleasantness and inferiority, similar to disgusting but broader in scope.

that was nauseating

Nauseating specifically refers to something that induces a feeling of wanting to vomit, highlighting the physical aspect of disgust.

that was simply awful

Simply awful expresses strong dislike or disapproval, often in a more general sense without necessarily implying disgust.

FAQs

What does "that was disgusting" mean?

The phrase "that was disgusting" expresses strong revulsion, disapproval, or offense towards something experienced or observed. It signifies a high degree of unpleasantness and aversion.

What can I say instead of "that was disgusting"?

You can use alternatives like "that was revolting", "that was appalling", or "that was vile" depending on the context.

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

While grammatically correct, "that was disgusting" may be too informal or strong for professional or academic writing. Consider more neutral alternatives like "that was unacceptable" or "that was inappropriate".

What's the difference between "that was disgusting" and "that is disgusting"?

"That was disgusting" refers to something that happened in the past, while "that is disgusting" refers to something happening in the present or something that is generally considered disgusting.