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

• abhorrent
• abominable
• appalling
• awful
• disgusting
• distasteful
• dreadful
• evil
• foul
• fulsome
• gross
• hideous
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrid
• loathsome
• nasty
• nauseating
• nauseous
• noisome
• noxious
• obnoxious
• obscene
• odious
• offensive
• rancid
• repellent
• repellant
• repugnant
• revolting
• scandalous
• shocking
• sickening
• ugly

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

Physicists will use this data to measure the properties of both dark matter as well as dark energy, an equally mysterious repulsive force proposed to explain the accelerating expansion of the universe. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Today, the idea of intentionally dismembering and displaying human body parts can seem shocking, even repulsive. —Therese Cory, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025

Needless to say, those point totals were viewed as repulsive by many in the league office, serving as the reason for another format change. —Shane Young, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024

There are almost no redeeming characters in the movie — every cardinal is morally bankrupt/repulsive. —Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 12 Jan. 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

Kids Definition

repulsive

adjective

re·​pul·​sive ri-ˈpəl-siv 

: causing disgust

repulsively adverb

repulsiveness noun