that was repulsive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was repulsive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or disgust regarding a specific action, event, or situation that has occurred. Example: "After witnessing the cruel treatment of the animals, I couldn't help but think that was repulsive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Back in the 1990s Ofili's dung somehow became a touchstone for all that was repulsive about the YBAs, and in 1998 (the same year he won the Turner prize) someone dumped a load of manure in front of the Sensation exhibition to prove that modern art was bullshit.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, in a democracy it is difficult to suppress minority views that are repulsive but have some electoral support.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's nothing about a particular food that is repulsive, it's just the foreignness of any food that I don't know.

The Guardian - Music

I assume it's the idea of eating human flesh that's repulsive rather than the flesh itself (I'll bet it tastes a lot like chicken).

The New York Times - Books

"But the Bible says very clearly that homosexuality is wrong, and Christians don't want the schools to teach subjects that are repulsive to their values".

The New York Times

After all, the technology has invaded every aspect of our lives; it is changing social and private behaviour, having a disproportionate impact on our children and facilitating types of criminal and antisocial behaviour that are repulsive and sometimes terrifying.

The Guardian - Books

The result is a strange visual effect that is repulsive to the sensitive, though to be sure many people don't even notice.

TechCrunch

But it was his actions that were repulsive, not mine.

Huffington Post

Engage with those unlike you and with ideas that are repulsive to you.

Huffington Post

Today we use it to describe qualities of a person place or object that is repulsive, strange or disgusting.

Huffington Post

But I think that our common ancestor had "monkey-like" features that were repulsive for our "human-like" progenitor and they are still remaining so for us.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was repulsive" to express strong feelings of disgust or aversion towards something specific. Ensure the context clearly identifies what 'that' refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "that was repulsive" when a milder expression of dislike or disagreement would be more appropriate. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was repulsive" functions as an expressive statement, conveying a strong negative judgment or feeling of disgust. As Ludwig points out, the phrase expresses disapproval.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was repulsive" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey strong feelings of disgust or aversion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's relatively rare but appears across various contexts like News & Media and Science. While impactful, users should consider the appropriateness of such strong language and potentially use milder alternatives in some contexts. Remember to ensure the reference of 'that' is clear to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was disgusting

Replaces 'repulsive' with a more common synonym, indicating strong distaste.

that was revolting

Similar to 'disgusting' but perhaps slightly stronger in its expression of aversion.

that was abhorrent

A more formal and intense way of saying 'repulsive', suggesting moral repugnance.

that was offensive

Focuses on the upsetting or insulting nature of something, rather than its inherent unpleasantness.

that was distasteful

Indicates something is unpleasant or disagreeable to one's sensibilities.

that was sickening

Implies something is so unpleasant it makes one feel ill.

that was vile

Suggests extreme unpleasantness and wickedness.

that was loathsome

Indicates intense dislike and disgust.

that was appalling

Suggests something is shockingly bad or horrific.

that was dreadful

Implies something is extremely unpleasant or of very poor quality.

FAQs

What does "that was repulsive" mean?

The phrase "that was repulsive" expresses a strong feeling of disgust or aversion towards something. It indicates that something is extremely unpleasant or offensive.

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

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

Is "that was repulsive" a formal or informal expression?

"That was repulsive" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to be more impactful due to its strong emotional tone. More formal alternatives like "that was abhorrent" may be preferable in some situations.

How do I use "that was repulsive" in a sentence?

You can use "that was repulsive" to express your strong disapproval or disgust of a specific action, event, or idea. For example: "After witnessing the cruel treatment of the animals, I couldn't help but think that was repulsive."