repellent

adjective

re·pel·lent | \ ri-ˈpe-lənt

variants: or less commonly repellant

Definition of repellent

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : serving or tending to drive away or ward off —often used in combination a mosquito-repellent spray

2 : arousing aversion or disgust : repulsive

repellent

noun

variants: or less commonly repellant

Definition of repellent (Entry 2 of 2)

: something that repels especially : a substance that repels insects

Other Words from repellent Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about repellent

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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

Suddenly, every slur, insult, and caricature seems like a golden opportunity to commodify and profit from the most repellent sound bites. — Sonia K. Katyal, BostonGlobe.com, "The sudden rush of vulgar trademarks," 23 June 2018 Meanwhile, national Republicans have been coping with a Hobbesian choice between losing a Senate seat or tainting themselves by association with a bizarre and repellent Old South character right out of Flannery O’Connor. — Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Alabama Preview: Turnout Will Win It For Moore or Jones, But Republicans Will Have a Headache Either Way," 11 Dec. 2017 But the tactic became far more effective — indeed, electorally triumphant — when the actions being profiled were so genuinely repellent to much of the country. — Berny Belvedere, National Review, "Yes, the Democratic Party’s Polarization Helps Explain Trump’s Rise," 11 Oct. 2017 Nevertheless, the types who surfaced in Charlottesville on Saturday are certainly human beings of the most repellent and disgusting sort, murderous too—pretty much violent, evil sociopaths. — WSJ, "Notable & Quotable: The White Supremacist Fringe," 13 Aug. 2017 The history of politically inexperienced, personally repellent third-rate television personalities with anger issues who managed to parlay their fame into high office does not begin with Donald Trump. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "Al Franken, Un-Funny Man of the Senate," 7 Aug. 2017 But this documentary posits a revision of food history, chronicling the life of the magnetic, repellent man who changed American dining, then disappeared. — Seattle Times Staff, The Seattle Times, "9 movies open May 5; our reviewers weigh in," 5 May 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Next to a pillow was a can of repellent with which his roommate sleeps. — Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, "Rare Hantavirus May Have Caused Belmont Racetrack Worker’s Death," 22 June 2018 Store wool and silk items (which moths also like!) together in airtight plastic containers, with plenty of moth repellent—or, if you're concerned about chemicals, natural moth sachets. 8. — Arianne Cohen, Woman's Day, "Time-Saving Household Cleaning Tricks," 21 Nov. 2011 Avoid them by wearing insect repellent and staying in the center of trails when walking in wooded or brushy areas. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "QUIZ: Can You Identify These Dangerous Summer Plants and Bugs?," 3 Aug. 2018 Cover your skin with clothing and use mosquito repellent. — Lisa Maria Garza, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Health officials warn of mosquito-borne illness in Volusia County," 2 July 2018 Mosquitoes are a concern when working in the landscape; apply repellents and cover up. 75. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "July in the garden," 30 June 2018 In the recent spate of deaths, police said pure alcohol was sometimes combined with ingredients such as cough medicine and insect repellent. — Fox News, "Nearly 80 dead from bootleg alcohol tainted with insect repellent, cough medicine," 10 Apr. 2018 These puffer jackets are filled with responsibly sourced goose down and made with a water-repellent fabric and engineered to provide warmth down to minus-20°F. — Amy Hou, Glamour, "This Puffer Jacket Is a 'Fashion Coat' That Actually Keeps You Warm," 5 Nov. 2018 Parents can protect their kids from serious illnesses like AFM by washing their hands, making sure vaccines are up to date, and using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites. — Julia Belluz, Vox, "The outbreak of acute flaccid myelitis, the polio-like illness affecting kids: what we know," 30 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'repellent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.