repulsive

adjective

re·​pul·​sive ri-ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce repulsive (audio)
1
: serving or able to repulse
repulsive force
2
: tending to repel or reject : cold, forbidding
3
: arousing aversion or disgust
repulsive crimes
repulsively adverb
repulsiveness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Figuring out exactly what is so repulsive about ketchup could also be helpful, Goldberg said. Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 9 Nov. 2024 The retrograde Pierpoint trader played by Sagar Radia is perhaps the most overtly repulsive individual in an office already suffering from a workplace-culture problem. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2024 The same people who find the Nazi swastika repulsive are happy to wear the hammer and sickle on a T-shirt, hat, or military belt buckle. Andrew Nagorski, Foreign Affairs, 30 Nov. 2012 Sadly, we were robbed of any repulsive body horror on this lovely Halloween day (sorry, gore-hounds), but at least we were left with one helluva cliffhanger heading into its tense season closer. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for repulsive 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repulsyve "(in medicine) dissipating collected humors," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French repulsif "repelling, dissipating humors," borrowed from Medieval Latin repulsīvus, from Latin repulsus, past participle of repellere "to push away, drive back, fend off" + -īvus -ive — more at repel

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of repulsive was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near repulsive

Cite this Entry

“Repulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repulsive. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

repulsive

adjective
re·​pul·​sive ri-ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce repulsive (audio)
: causing disgust
repulsively adverb
repulsiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on repulsive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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