repulsive

adjective

re·pul·sive | \ ri-ˈpəl-siv

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

This finding raises an evolutionary question: If humans generally find these traits repulsive and prefer not to mate with those who possess them, how did the dark triad manage to become so prevalent? — Glenn Geher, WSJ, "The Dark Triad and the Evolution of Jerks," 6 Dec. 2018 The point of the zombie genre is that humans are strange, repulsive, and ridiculous. — Noah Berlatsky, The Verge, "Why zombies are so hilarious," 5 Dec. 2018 But in China, customers find the same odor repulsive. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "Chinese customers hate “new car smell,” so Ford files a patent to bake it out," 20 Nov. 2018 The sentiments expressed by the organizers of Sunday's rally are repulsive. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "Trump condemns “all types of racism and acts of violence” ahead of Unite the Right 2," 11 Aug. 2018 Stephen Douglas wanted to tie the expansion of slavery, society’s most repulsive idea, to the rule of democracy, society’s most noble idea. — Randy Blaser, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Rename Douglas Park — and do it for history's sake," 23 May 2018 As the film begins in 2028, a young Taiwanese nurse (Alina Tsai), known only by her employee number, is shown struggling with her repulsive routines and cramped living quarters in an Indonesian hospital. — Clarence Tsui, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Ten Years Taiwan': Film Review," 13 July 2018 And this repulsive encounter is worse than unhygienic: those feces spread microscopic parasites that cause Chagas disease. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, "How Tiny Trackers Could Help Humans Avoid Kissing Bugs’ Deadly Smooch," 9 July 2018 Giving him any money to rebuild his country would be doubly repulsive. — The Economist, "Syrian refugees could turn into the new Palestinians," 30 June 2018

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.