repulsive

adjective

ri-ˈpəl-siv How to pronounce repulsive (audio)
Definition of repulsivenext
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

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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 This provision is equally repulsive. — Austin Elias-De Jesus, New Yorker, 3 June 2026 And Mary’s electric, palpably physical pursuit of justice becomes even more crucial in the final act, after a grotesque display of performative mockery toward Māori culture fractures the last remnants of civility present amid one of Cole’s lavish-yet-repulsive gatherings. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 May 2026 However repulsive the allegations leveled at Gaiman, there’s no getting rid of him. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 May 2026 Then the flashy dude does something really stupid and repulsive. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulsive
  1. disgusting
  2. ugly
  3. sickening
  4. awful
  5. horrible
  6. hideous
  7. obnoxious
  8. shocking
Adjective
  • To interrogate Fauci now, for absolutely no coherent reason and completely without sense, is shameful and disgusting.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The left's most hated author — JK Rowling — has dropped the hammer on the disgusting things that took place at the Indiana Fever-Seattle Storm game earlier this week.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • But, at the heart of it is what appears to be a very ugly feud between two public servants.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Damage goes deep Friday’s loss followed a much uglier version of the same problem.
    — Tyler M. Carmona, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • As health officials pointed to a Mexican processing plant run by Taylor Farms as the source of a parasite sickening Americans, the giant produce company rushed to defend itself.
    — Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The vote followed roughly six hours of emotional testimony from dozens of residents from across southeast Los Angeles County who pleaded for the air district to take action to require Lineage to do more to suppress sickening odors.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of sickening
Adjective
  • The battle sequences in this finale are awful, elaborate, and grotesque, especially Ormund using children as human shields and Daemon burning them alive.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • So, what does this mean for the markets, and us bystanders, in this awful situation?
    — Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of awful
Adjective
  • After years of seeing enough photos of fabulous wealth and horrible tragedy, these types of images cease to shock us.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But the horrible jobs data suggests the central bank may have to think about weakening consumer spending as well.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • Illiteracy, and its centuries-long ongoing epidemic, is hideous.
    — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 21 July 2026
  • The ace endured a rocky start punctuated by a hideous 11-run blowup in Minnesota and has now been sidelined with a shoulder injury since April 26.
    — Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
Definition of hideous
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, the running frenemy dynamic between senior trooper Thorny (Chandrasekhar) and his coarse, obnoxious colleague Farva (Kevin Heffernan) takes more strain than usual when Farva becomes engaged to Thorny’s sister Sarita (Hannah Simone).
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Did Stevens outrun the final polls, in part, because some Democrats thought El-Sayed’s supporters were obnoxious?
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of obnoxious
Adjective
  • The shocking lack of answers does not appear to be for a lack of resources, rather it highlights perceived investigative missteps along the way.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The shocking report was nevertheless cheered by investors, who took the weakness in the labor market as a sign that the Federal Reserve won’t hike rates in September.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocking

Browse Nearby Words

repulsions
repulsive
repulsiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Repulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulsive. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on repulsive

Nglish: Translation of repulsive for Spanish Speakers

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