as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a repulsive display of shameless flattery that made the embarrassed actor wrinkle his nose in disgust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of repulsive
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
In April 2024, a map of the cosmos released by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) hinted that dark energy, the repulsive agent that’s driving the expansion of space, has been weakening over time.
—Quanta Magazine, 17 Dec. 2025
Kraf ’s Oliver is a particularly repellant version of Pygmalion, the most repulsive Henry Higgins imaginable.
—Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025
Buffalo Ranch Popcorn This flavor concept is a beautiful fantasy and repulsive reality.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repulsive
Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 23 Dec. 2025
In April 2024, a map of the cosmos released by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) hinted that dark energy, the repulsive agent that’s driving the expansion of space, has been weakening over time.
—Quanta Magazine, 17 Dec. 2025
Kraf ’s Oliver is a particularly repellant version of Pygmalion, the most repulsive Henry Higgins imaginable.
—Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025
Buffalo Ranch Popcorn This flavor concept is a beautiful fantasy and repulsive reality.
—Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulsive
Adjective
-
The Epstein files reveal plenty of powerful people to have tolerated or participated in disgusting and shameful behavior.—
Gilad Edelman,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Further, there is the even uglier spectre of players and coaches themselves fixing games.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Shower Heads Even the most high-end shower heads are not immune to ugly mineral deposits and limescale buildup that can clog the holes.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The rest of us could only imagine Randall’s sickening embarrassment at needing to testify at the trial.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Her death — sudden, severe, senseless — is sickening.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And not this awful thing that happens again.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The Padres were mostly woeful for a decade before Preller’s arrival and wholly awful the first five seasons under his direction.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And for the next year its law enforcement members were hailed as heroes for their efforts that prevented a horrible situation from becoming even worse.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
There’s nary a crease to be seen in Bina Daigeler’s costumes, all covetable, unapproachable and tailored to the gods; Matthew Herbert’s score may be among the lushest ever slathered over such horrible goings-on.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The 4chan logic that turned even the most hideous news and ideas into empty entertainment pervades everything on the internet now—more proof that lol, nothing matters.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The hideous curbside piles of frozen slush blocking New York City streets have a name.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
When an obnoxious influencer (Zach Galifianakis, delightfully punchable) dies in a freak accident at her gallery, Polina decides to pass off his corpse as an exhibition centerpiece.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This latest fight starts with a comment Natalie makes at work that is both obnoxious and innocuous.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This shocking ignorance and insensitivity by Ocasio-Cortez should rule her out of any potential presidential bid or other high office.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Viewers barely have time to register what’s in front of them before there’s another shocking accusation, revelation, or character detail.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulsive. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
