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

And the crowd lurches; the crowd flexes; the crowd feels its core, which is both a sucking emptiness and a site of repellent energy, like the space cleared by a fistfight. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025

They’re pre-treated with a stain repellent solution to keep them looking brand new for as long as possible. —Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025

Noun

Young plants are most susceptible to damage and can be protected with repellents or temporary fencing when deer are active. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025

According to Ho, in 1979, DeAngelo was detained at a store for stealing dog repellent and a hammer — and then allegedly faked a heart attack and screamed incoherently when deputies showed up. —Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

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