repugnant / contrary
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repugnant to someone
To be unpleasant, unappealing, or repulsive to someone. It describes a feeling of inner resistance or aversion.
Diese Art von Heuchelei ist mir zutiefst zuwider.
This kind of hypocrisy is deeply repugnant to me.
You can recognize the meaning of 'zuwider' from the verb: in connection with 'sein' (to be), it expresses aversion. In connection with 'handeln' (to act), it means to violate or act contrary to something.
Jede Form von Gewalt ist mir zutiefst zuwider.
Every form of violence is deeply repugnant to me.
When something is unpleasant to a person, that person is always in the dative. The thing that triggers the aversion is the subject of the sentence.
Das ständige Lügen war ihm einfach zuwider.
The constant lying was simply repugnant to him.
The verb 'zuwiderhandeln' (to act contrary to) is separable. In a main clause, 'zuwider' comes at the end. The thing that is being acted against is in the dative.
Sie handelte bewusst dem Gesetz zuwider.
She knowingly acted contrary to the law.
against / around
'gegen' and 'zuwider' both have to do with resistance or rejection. 'gegen' is the normal preposition when someone is against a person, an opinion, a thing, or a rule. 'zuwider' sounds much more formal or elevated and often appears in fixed expressions: something is 'jemandem zuwider' when it is strongly unpleasant to that person, or someone acts contrary to a rule. Learners may confuse the words because both express a kind of opposition. In everyday language, 'gegen' is usually more natural; 'zuwider' fits better with inner aversion or with formal statements about rules.
Nina handelt den Regeln zuwider, wenn sie die Daten ohne Erlaubnis weitergibt.
Nina is acting contrary to the rules if she passes on the data without permission.
Am Wochenende spielt unsere Mannschaft gegen den Tabellenführer.
At the weekend, our team is playing against the league leader.