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
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Recent Examples of repulsive
The goat dung remedy The most repulsive recipe, from an 11th-century text, offered the following tip for chest pain.
—
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2025
On the far other end of the likability spectrum, Blenkin is marvelously repulsive as Boy Kavalier, whose arrogance might be more toxic even than xenomorph blood.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Tim’s family trauma, while prompting some delightfully repulsive SFX, seems to exist only for that reason, or to give the film an additional whiff of dread.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 31 July 2025
The odor of the seals and sea brine is so extremely repulsive to them that their ambush almost fails, and only magical ambrosia placed under their noses can neutralize the smell.
—Marie-Claire Beaulieu, The Conversation, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for repulsive
Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2025
On the far other end of the likability spectrum, Blenkin is marvelously repulsive as Boy Kavalier, whose arrogance might be more toxic even than xenomorph blood.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Tim’s family trauma, while prompting some delightfully repulsive SFX, seems to exist only for that reason, or to give the film an additional whiff of dread.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 31 July 2025
The odor of the seals and sea brine is so extremely repulsive to them that their ambush almost fails, and only magical ambrosia placed under their noses can neutralize the smell.
—Marie-Claire Beaulieu, The Conversation, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for repulsive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulsive
Adjective
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This behavior is disgusting and they should be fired.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Sep. 2025
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And yet … those conversations are also entertainingly provocative, and they’re accompanied by some of the scariest and most disgusting scenes the series has delivered up to now.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The only debate is which of his five interceptions against LSU was the ugliest and/or costliest in a 20-10 loss.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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The results were ugly and caused lasting damage to our citizens' livelihoods and our city's reputation.—
Ted Wheeler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The sickening moment of Kirk's murder was captured on video and has been viewed by tens of millions of people.—
Melissa Galbraith,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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The song comments on the sickening glee that’s been spread in some corners in the aftermath of Kirk’s death.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Tom’s appointees on the task force include Lizzie (Alison Oliver), a state police officer who’s regularly tormented by her fellow cops, and Aleah (Thuso Mbedu), who wins over a suspect in interrogation by sharing awful details of her past.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
17 Sep. 2025
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His college tape from Iowa showed a kid with excellent movement skills, perfect for the Niners’ offense, but with awful footwork in pass protection.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Can a horrible 17-year-old turn into a 31-year-old person with integrity and empathy?—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
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Can a 17-year-old horrible person turn into a 31-year-old person with integrity and empathy?—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Hart was short, with a hideous combover.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
30 Aug. 2025
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That hideous incentive triggered My Lai and other similarly heinous attacks.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The premiere also came with the shocking announcement of a double elimination next week.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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The speed at which Kirk’s death became content was almost as shocking as the assassination itself.—
Marly Berlin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Clothing must not feature offensive language, obscene gestures/graphics, or nudity or clothing that does not sufficiently cover undergarments.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The store supplied her with bondage pants, kilts, and T-shirts printed with obscene illustrations.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repulsive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulsive. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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