repulsive

re·pul·sive | \ ri-ˈpəl-siv

How to pronounce repulsive (audio)

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Definition of repulsive

1 : serving or able to repulse repulsive force

2 : tending to repel or reject : cold, forbidding

3 : arousing aversion or disgust repulsive crimes

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

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Examples of repulsive in a Sentence

Magnets have a repulsive effect on each other. a repulsive display of shameless flattery that made the embarrassed actor wrinkle his nose in disgust

Recent Examples on the Web In a universe imbued with even slightly more of this gravitationally repulsive energy, space would expand too quickly for structures like galaxies, planets or people to form. — Quanta Magazine, "Why the Tiny Weight of Empty Space Is Such a Huge Mystery," 12 Mar. 2018 But people who are strong and in power find weakness repulsive. — Kevin Wilson, Time, "I Was Worried My Anxiety Would Prevent Me From Being a Good Father. My Sons Changed That," 28 Oct. 2019 In this new adventure, Humboldt’s scheming cousin Tertius teams up with a repulsive state senator to make money from a big oil painting hanging in the State Capitol that had been donated years earlier by Osgood. — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, "Readers and Writers: Wrap up your outdoor fall chores and settle in with a good read," 27 Oct. 2019 Rivest shared on Twitter that her loved ones also found the man's actions to be repulsive. — NBC News, "Kentucky reporter Sara Rivest kissed on live TV says: 'This is not OK'," 26 Sep. 2019 Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes were repulsive and reprehensible. — BostonGlobe.com, "Harvard says it received $9 million from Jeffrey Epstein - The Boston Globe," 13 Sep. 2019 But then, in 1998, astronomers discovered that the expansion of the cosmos is in fact gradually accelerating, implying the presence of a repulsive energy permeating space. — Quanta Magazine, "Why the Tiny Weight of Empty Space Is Such a Huge Mystery," 12 Mar. 2018 Parting Shot The cockroach has been around in some form for about 300 million years, as the repulsive insect’s proven to be an extraordinarily resilient species. — Jeff Bailey, The Denver Post, "From Colorado wrestling champ to prison inmate, UFC star Ian Heinisch looks to make most of second chance in life," 16 Aug. 2019 Seeing that her gambit has disquieted Cindy (Tanya Gorlow) and Christina (Dominique Corona), the outrageous yet ever-gracious Fefu explains her attraction to repulsive ideas by way of a metaphor. — Los Angeles Times, "Review: Under-performed feminist masterpiece ‘Fefu and Her Friends’ is reborn at the Odyssey," 13 Aug. 2019

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

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Dictionary Entries near repulsive

repulsion-induction motor

repulsion motor

Statistics for repulsive

Last Updated

5 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Repulsive.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repulsive. Accessed 6 December 2019.

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More Definitions for repulsive

repulsive

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of repulsive

: causing strong dislike or disgust

physics : of or relating to the force that pushes something away from something else

See the full definition for repulsive in the English Language Learners Dictionary

repulsive

re·pul·sive | \ ri-ˈpəl-siv

\

Kids Definition of repulsive

: causing disgust a repulsive sight

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