repulsive

adjective

re·​pul·​sive ri-ˈpəl-siv 

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

Synonyms of repulsive

• disgusting
• ugly
• sickening
• awful
• horrible
• hideous
• obnoxious
• shocking
• obscene
• offensive
• dreadful

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

Seven glass bottles had been sitting in storage for many years, and one held precious, though repulsive, evidence of a medicine only mentioned in textual sources. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026

Only Birdie finds this plan repulsive, knowing this would be the ruin of her beloved niece. —Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026

Or what would be attractive or repulsive to a researcher. —Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026

Researchers gained clues as to why some people taking GLP-1 drugs experience shifts in their favorite foods—suddenly finding meats repulsive or fried foods too heavy. —Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 23 Dec. 2025

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

Rhymes for repulsive

• compulsive
• convulsive
• expulsive
• impulsive
• propulsive
• electroconvulsive

Kids Definition

repulsive

adjective

re·​pul·​sive ri-ˈpəl-siv 

: causing disgust

repulsively adverb

repulsiveness noun