rebarbative

re·bar·ba·tive

adj \ri-ˈbär-bə-tiv\

Definition of REBARBATIVE

: repellent, irritating

— re·bar·ba·tive·ly adverb

Examples of REBARBATIVE

1. <there are aspects of that writer's personality that any reasonable person would regard as rebarbative, but we're just reading his novels—not marrying him>

Origin of REBARBATIVE

French rébarbatif, from Middle French, from rebarber to be repellent, from re- + barbe beard, from Latin barba — more at beard

First Known Use: 1892

Related to REBARBATIVE

Synonyms: abrasive, aggravating, bothersome, carking, chafing, disturbing, exasperating, frustrating, galling, irksome, irritating, maddening, nettlesome, nettling, peeving, pesky, pestiferous, pestilent, pestilential, pesty, plaguey (also plaguy), rankling, annoying, riling, vexatious, vexing

Related Words: burdensome, discomforting, displeasing, disquieting, distressing, importunate, importune, inconveniencing; angering, enraging, infuriating; brattish, bratty, mischievous, offensive, troublesome, upsetting; distractive, painful, stressful, tiresome, troubling, trying, worrisome; biting, grating, jangling, jarring, spiny, thorny

Near Antonyms: delightful, pleasing

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