repulsive

adjective

ri-ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce repulsive (audio)
Definition of repulsivenext
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment a repulsive display of shameless flattery that made the embarrassed actor wrinkle his nose in disgust

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of repulsive The play’s main character, Mack the Knife, is simultaneously attractive and repulsive, and the role works best when neither of those two sides is neglected. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026 Sport is full of bad actors expediting the death of discourse with repulsive antics. — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 By their very nature, hydrogen atoms tend to be electrically repulsive to each other. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026 These compounds have a strong, pungent odor that many insects, including grubs, find repulsive. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for repulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulsive
  1. disgusting
  2. ugly
  3. sickening
  4. awful
  5. horrible
  6. hideous
  7. obnoxious
  8. shocking
Adjective
  • Everyone starts tasting the varied, apparently disgusting, bottles.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The third branch of government did its job, and that should be a welcome sight for all Americans given the disgusting and dangerous attacks on our democracy by the federal government.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • The warehouse retailer stock was one of just three Club names in the green in Thursday's ugly market.
    — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
  • And not least because no amount of overuse can obscure the ugly origin of 2026’s favorite syntaxx.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • Advertisement In Brazil and South America, outbreaks of a fungus that causes a disfiguring and sometimes fatal skin disease have been sickening cats, dogs, and people.
    — Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 27 Oct. 2026
  • And, of course, leave it to Zendaya to add some sickening vintage to the WNBA Finals.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of sickening
Adjective
  • Losing to the Tampa Bay Bucs starting an undrafted rookie quarterback was awful, and gagging the home game in overtime to the Awful Arizona Cardinals was worse; coming back in the fourth quarter to beat the Colts is almost just as bad.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The only sign his group was listening to the awful things their friend/boss/son was being accused of was the very active facial expressions of Brand’s wife, Laura.
    — Luke Jones, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of awful
Adjective
  • Their monthlong travel by ship was under horrible conditions.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • While the fire was horrible, Hong said some blessings have emerged from the tragedy.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • In his latest romp, corporate greed, lovable cows and hideous monsters converge in Richland, Ohio.
    — Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The greatest player in the world was reduced to the role of supporting actor by Stan Wawrinka, who delivered a masterclass of a performance in possibly the most hideous shorts ever seen on a tennis court.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of hideous
Adjective
  • Dashcam followed in 2021, about an obnoxious content creator on a fateful and terrifying drive, as well as 2023 Stephen King adaptation The Boogeyman.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
  • As Claudia, Curtis is perfectly biting and obnoxious, willing to insert herself into her ex-husband’s life for sport, stomping on his feeble boundaries.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of obnoxious
Adjective
  • Democrats notched several shocking flips in seats President Donald won by double digits in 2024, meaning those districts will be some of the toughest to defend in a more even election cycle.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Democrats felt optimistic about taking the majority earlier in the night than some had expected after the shocking win in South Carolina.
    — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of shocking

Browse Nearby Words

repulsions
repulsive
repulsiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Repulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulsive. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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