Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extremely unpleasant or disgusting; causing intense distaste or nausea: "Revolting" describes something that is so offensive or repulsive that it provokes a strong feeling of disgust or aversion.
   • Causing a feeling of strong opposition or anger; outrageous: "Revolting" can also describe something that is morally offensive and causes feelings of indignation or rebellion.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The smell from the dumpster was absolutely revolting. (The odor was extremely disgusting.)
  • The dictator's revolting acts of cruelty sparked international condemnation. (The acts were morally outrageous and caused anger.)
  • She found the idea of eating insects completely revolting. (The idea was highly offensive to her senses.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be revolting to someone": to be extremely disgusting or offensive to a particular person.
  • The graphic violence in the film was revolting to many viewers. (The violence caused intense disgust in the viewers.)
• "revolting against": This is a different usage based on the verb "revolt." The adjective "revolting" is not typically used in this phrasal verb form. See "Variants and Related Words."

Variants and Related Words

• Revolt (verb): To rise in rebellion; to feel disgust or shock.
  • The citizens decided to revolt against the oppressive regime.
  • The cruelty of the act revolted him.
• Revoltingly (adverb): In a revolting manner.
  • The kitchen was revoltingly dirty.

Synonyms

• Disgusting: Arousing revulsion or strong disapproval.
• Repellent: Causing disgust or distaste.
• Loathsome: Causing hatred or disgust; repulsive.
• Abhorrent: Inspiring disgust and loathing.
• Nauseating: Causing nausea or disgust.

Antonyms

• Appealing: Attractive or interesting.
• Pleasant: Giving a sense of happy satisfaction or enjoyment.
• Delightful: Causing delight; charming.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "A revolting development": An idiom (somewhat dated) used to describe a situation that is extremely disappointing, unfair, or unpleasant.
  • Losing funding for the project was a revolting development for the entire team. (It was a very disappointing and unfair turn of events.)

Adjective

1. highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
   • a disgusting smell
   • distasteful language
   • a loathsome disease
   • the idea of eating meat is repellent to me
   • revolting food
   • a wicked stench