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

Consider using tick repellents like DEET for skin and permethrin for clothing. — Dennis Thompson, CBS News, "Ticks that carry Lyme disease are spreading fast," 13 July 2018 Residents are encouraged to take precaution when venturing outdoors: tuck pants into socks, use a repellent with DEET, and do frequent tick-checks to avoid the possibility of contracting an illness. — Lara Korte, WSJ, "Long Islanders Take Shelter From Tick Threat This Summer," 1 July 2018 Babies under 2 months should not use repellents and OLE and PMD should not be used on children under 3. — Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, "How to Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes and Ticks," 1 May 2018 DeAngelo worked as a police officer for small towns in California until 1979, when he was fired in Auburn for shoplifting a hammer and dog repellent. — Joseph Serna, latimes.com, "Wife of Golden State Killer suspect offers prayers for victims, seeks privacy for family," 8 June 2018 Bug repellent is too expensive, so one man burns a cardboard egg carton, which smolders slowly and helps keep the mosquitoes away. — Washington Post, "Mounting economic chaos leaves many Venezuelans in the dark," 4 May 2018 Adults should apply repellent to children, but not to very young infants, Weber said. — Author: Roni Caryn Rabin, Anchorage Daily News, "How to protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks," 1 May 2018 Adults should apply repellent to children, but not to very young infants, Dr. Weber said. — Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, "How to Protect Yourself From Mosquitoes and Ticks," 1 May 2018 Auburn fired him in 1970 after he was caught shoplifting a hammer and dog repellent. — CBS News, "DNA match on genealogy sites led to suspected "Golden State Killer," police say," 26 Apr. 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.