as in obnoxious
not pleasing or likable; causing you to feel dislike of someone or something
He has an off-putting manner. The restaurant's garish décor was off-putting.
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Recent Examples of off-putting
Networking is the common name for this process, although that term (and the practice) can sometimes feel off-putting to the very people who need to do it.
—
Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
And then there's his relatively youthful age of 34 - which was part of his appeal for young voters, but more off-putting to chief executives who may be decades older.
—NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
Vecna looks to the sky as a particularly off-putting tentacle emerges and attaches to Will’s mouth, pumping an unknown substance into his body.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
With off-putting brusqueness, the acupuncturist sticks needles into my head and left leg, leaves the room—and appears to forget all about me.
—Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-putting
Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
And then there's his relatively youthful age of 34 - which was part of his appeal for young voters, but more off-putting to chief executives who may be decades older.
—NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
Vecna looks to the sky as a particularly off-putting tentacle emerges and attaches to Will’s mouth, pumping an unknown substance into his body.
—Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
With off-putting brusqueness, the acupuncturist sticks needles into my head and left leg, leaves the room—and appears to forget all about me.
—Lucinda Rosenfeld, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for off-putting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for off-putting
Adjective
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This latest fight starts with a comment Natalie makes at work that is both obnoxious and innocuous.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2026
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On the other hand, what made her an obnoxious little sister served her well in school.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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At one point a couple of years ago, Microsoft even used malware-like pop-ups in a disgusting overreach.—
Tom Warren,
The Verge,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Over time, this buildup can affect the dishwasher's performance, lead to unpleasant odors, and leave dishes less clean.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
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The water in Griffin was deemed safe to use the same day as the spill, later in the evening, but some residents believed the water still had an unpleasant smell.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Featuring the good, the bad and the ugly, ‘Look of the Week’ is a regular series dedicated to unpacking the most talked about outfit of the last seven days.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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And if his squad’s current mini-break produces a similar result — Missouri entered the holiday break with an ugly Braggin’ Rights loss to Illinois but came out of it with an upset of Florida — Gates would no doubt be pleased.—
Ally Schiepp,
Kansas City Star,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Some offer a peek at my encounters backstage while waiting for the curtain to come up on me, while others pull back the curtain to share the raw truth about one of the most awful experiences in my private life.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
3 Feb. 2026
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And finally… The death of seven PAOK supporters in a road accident last week was an unspeakably awful tragedy, and one that will hang over the club for a long time.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Similarly the vulnerability of Nancy Guthrie, an elderly woman described as having mobility problems, as a possible victim of a violent crime, is sickening and deeply uncomfortable.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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To many of those who knew what went on inside the structure, the spectacle was sickening.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Los Angeles City Councilwoman Nithya Raman entered the city’s crowded mayoral race on Saturday, marking a shocking and last-minute move to challenge longtime ally Mayor Karen Bass after previously endorsing the mayor.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Feb. 2026
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What began with the unconstitutional targeting of law firms, universities, and non-partisan civil servants has advanced to ICE’s shocking and deadly street-level assaults.—
Chris Mattei,
Hartford Courant,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The hideous curbside piles of frozen slush blocking New York City streets have a name.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2026
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That this hideous crime was executed by 15-year-old young adults is horrifying.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Off-putting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off-putting. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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