off-putting

adjective

off-put·​ting ˈȯf-ˌpu̇-tiŋ How to pronounce off-putting (audio)
Synonyms of off-puttingnext
: that puts one off : repellent, disconcerting
an off-putting attitude
off-puttingly adverb

Examples of off-putting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Affleck excels here in a tremendously off-putting role (seemingly the one he was born to play), but the film's most cogent, exciting moments come when Lonergan splits off to show us the town's bizarre side characters. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026 Seen in this light, Chutzpah isn’t meant to be some off-putting personality quirk. Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 Squint, and the actor’s most off-putting moves could be attributed to his commitment to the grind, which could then encourage audiences to go see the results in action. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025 Litter Boxes The pungent smell of a litter box can be very off-putting to guests. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for off-putting

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off-putting was in 1935

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Off-putting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off-putting. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on off-putting

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster