repellent

1 of 2

adjective

re·​pel·​lent ri-ˈpe-lənt 

variants or less commonly repellant

1

: serving or tending to drive away or ward off

—often used in combination

a mosquito-repellent spray

2

: arousing aversion or disgust : repulsive

repellently adverb

repellent

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly repellant

: something that repels

especially : a substance that repels insects

Synonyms of repellent

Adjective

• disgusting
• ugly
• awful
• horrible
• sickening
• obnoxious
• hideous
• shocking
• offensive
• obscene
• dreadful
• nasty

Examples of repellent in a Sentence

Adjective

The candle has a repellent effect on insects.

your snobbish behavior towards my friends is so repellent I can't stand to be around you anymore

Noun

a can of insect repellent

Coat the exterior with a water repellent.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Riding boots in a range of sizes, straw sun hats, water bottle slings, and backpacks aplenty hang in the entrance hall, rain ponchos are tucked into the boot of each truck and sunscreen, soap suds, and insect repellent line the bathroom sink. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

Jane Don’t found the premise morally repellent. —Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026

Noun

Even the toiletries—reef-safe sunscreen and organic insect repellent—are chosen with the environment in mind. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2026

Cat repellents and mothballs are an effective way to keep peacocks out of gardens. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin repellent-, repellens, present participle of repellere "to push away, drive back, fend off" — more at repel

Noun

derivative of repellent entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1583, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing repellent

• shark repellent
• water-repellent

Rhymes for repellent

• appellant
• libellant
• propellant
• repellant

Kids Definition

repellent

1 of 2 adjective

re·​pel·​lent

variants also repellant

ri-ˈpel-ənt 

1

: serving or tending to drive away

—often used in combination

a water-repellent jacket

2

: causing disgust

repellently adverb

repellent

2 of 2 noun

variants also repellant

: something that repels

especially : a substance used to keep off pests (as insects)

Medical Definition

repellent

1 of 2 adjective

re·​pel·​lent

variants also repellant

ri-ˈpel-ənt 

: serving or tending to drive away or ward off

—often used in combination

a mosquito-repellent spray

repellent

2 of 2 noun

variants also repellant

: something that repels

especially : a substance used to prevent insect attacks

Legal Definition

repellent

noun

re·​pel·​lent

ri-ˈpe-lənt

: a method used to avoid or discourage a hostile corporate takeover