REPULSIVE Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

repulsive

adjective

ri-ˈpəl-siv

Definition of repulsive

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

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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

Adjective

Their fearless leader is the relentlessly disgusting, but equally brilliant Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) who insults, cajoles, and gaslights his foot-dragging staff into feats of daring heroism.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026
Everyone starts tasting the varied, apparently disgusting, bottles.

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of disgusting

Adjective

But the reason for this rather ugly framing device is that the team strives to educate the masses in the art of bankrobbing at the expense of being caught.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 12 Nov. 2026
Even when things got ugly under Carrick, the supporters chose to back the former midfielder, putting the blame firmly at the feet of the players and the club’s hierarchy.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 12 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

There is the hideous poverty and working-class conditions—in the mines, the textile factories, the steel mills—with all of their dangerous, low-end jobs and lack of hope, that produce both the era’s anarchists and its socialists.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026
In his latest romp, corporate greed, lovable cows and hideous monsters converge in Richland, Ohio.

— Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 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

And, like every other soap opera, this one appears to involve at least a dose of deception leading up to Huang’s shocking exit on Thursday.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2026
The differences with our own age are great, but the similarities are shocking.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of shocking

Browse Nearby Words

repulsions

repulsive

repulsiveness

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“Repulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulsive. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of repulsive

adjective

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