If you describe something or someone as repulsive, you mean that they are horrible and disgusting and you want to avoid them.
...repulsive fat white slugs.
Synonyms: disgusting, offensive, foul, ugly More Synonyms of repulsive
repulsivelyadverb [ADVERB adjective]
...a repulsively large rat.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A repulsive force is a force which pushes away what is around it.
[technical]
The repulsive force within the nucleus is enormous.
repulsive in British English
(rɪˈpʌlsɪv)
adjective
1.
causing or occasioning repugnance; loathsome; disgusting or distasteful
a repulsive sight
2.
tending to repel, esp by coldness and discourtesy
3. physics
concerned with, producing, or being a repulsion
Derived forms
repulsively (reˈpulsively)
adverb
repulsiveness (reˈpulsiveness)
noun
repulsive in American English
(rɪˈpʌlsɪv)
adjective
1.
tending to repel
2.
causing strong dislike or aversion; disgusting; offensive
3.
characterized by, or having the nature of, repulsion
Derived forms
repulsively (reˈpulsively)
adverb
repulsiveness (reˈpulsiveness)
noun
Word origin
ML repulsivus
Examples of 'repulsive' in a sentence
repulsive
There is something morally repulsive about an accessory that costs so much for such a short lifespan.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
So did the pair hit it off or find each other repulsive?
The Sun (2015)
But there are not a few who feel a vague something repulsive in the hand of a man who is growing a beast.
George MacDonald The Princess and the Curdie (1883)
The thought of getting up the next day and putting on my sweaty tracksuit and damp trainers would have been mentally and physically repulsive.
The Sun (2009)
A failed journalist finds a repulsive path to fame.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
If you find somebody physically repulsive you are probably not going to get close enough for their smell to suddenly sweep you off your feet.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
I find it repulsive and offensive.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
And just as the repulsive force within the nucleus is enormous, so is the binding energy that keeps the nucleus from flying apart.
Schneider, Hermann & Schneider, Leo The Harper Dictionary of Science in Everyday Language (1988)
He is convinced I would find him repulsive.
The Sun (2006)
But this, as it is, people find repulsive.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Something in me finds that repulsive because I feel as if that's using.
Christianity Today (2000)
Di was worried I'd find her repulsive afterwards but it was the most amazing experience.
The Sun (2013)
From medieval history he changed to economics, only to switch again after three months to modern languages, having found his tutor too physically repulsive for continued contact.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
repulsive
British English: repulsive /rɪˈpʌlsɪv/ ADJECTIVE
Repulsive means horrible and disgusting.
...a repulsive thought.
American English: repulsive
Arabic: مُنَفِّر
Brazilian Portuguese: repugnante
Chinese: 令人憎恶的
Croatian: odbojan
Czech: odporný
Danish: frastødende
Dutch: afstotend
European Spanish: repulsivo
Finnish: inhottava
French: repoussant
German: abstoßend
Greek: σιχαμερός
Italian: ripugnante
Japanese: むかつくような 腹が立つ
Korean: 혐오감을 일으키는
Norwegian: motbydelig
Polish: odrażający
European Portuguese: repugnante
Romanian: dezgustător
Russian: омерзительный
Latin American Spanish: repulsivo
Swedish: avskyvärd
Thai: น่าขยะแขยง
Turkish: iğrenç
Ukrainian: відразливий
Vietnamese: ghê tởm
(adjective)
Definition
disgusting or distasteful
repulsive, fat, white slugs
Synonyms
disgusting
The curry was disgusting.
offensive
the offensive smell of manure
foul
foul, polluted water
ugly
an ugly scene
forbidding
unpleasant
They tolerated what they felt was an unpleasant situation.
revolting
The smell in the cell was revolting.
obscene
It was obscene to spend millions producing unwanted food.
sickening
This was a sickening attack on a defenceless creature.
hideous
She saw a hideous face at the window and screamed.
vile
the vile smell of mouldy cheese
distasteful
an extremely unpleasant and distasteful experience
horrid (informal)
What a horrid smell!
repellent
She still found the place repellent.
obnoxious
The people at my table were so obnoxious, I had to leave.
objectionable
an objectionable, stuck-up young woman
disagreeable
a disagreeable odour
nauseating
The judge described the offences as nauseating and unspeakable.
odious
He's the most odious man I have ever met.
hateful
Why must I live in this hateful place?
loathsome
the loathsome spectacle we were obliged to witness
abhorrent
Most people find cruelty to animals abhorrent.
abominable
The President described the attack as an abominable crime.
yucky or yukky (slang)
yucko (Australian, slang)
fugly mainly US, Australian)
Opposites
appealing
,
attractive
,
lovely
,
pleasant
,
delightful
,
enticing
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abhorrent
Definition
hateful or disgusting
Most people find cruelty to animals abhorrent.
Synonyms
hateful,
hated,
offensive,
disgusting,
horrible,
revolting,
obscene,
distasteful,
horrid,
repellent,
obnoxious,
despicable,
repulsive,
heinous,
odious,
repugnant,
loathsome,
abominable,
execrable,
detestable
in the sense of abominable
Definition
very bad or unpleasant
The President described the attack as an abominable crime.
Synonyms
detestable,
shocking,
terrible (informal),
offensive,
foul,
disgusting,
horrible,
revolting,
obscene,
vile,
horrid,
repellent,
atrocious,
obnoxious,
despicable,
repulsive,
base,
heinous,
hellish (informal),
odious,
hateful,
repugnant,
reprehensible,
loathsome,
abhorrent,
contemptible,
villainous,
nauseous,
wretched,
accursed,
execrable,
godawful (slang)
in the sense of disagreeable
Definition
(of an incident or situation) unpleasant
a disagreeable odour
Synonyms
nasty,
offensive,
disgusting,
unpleasant,
distasteful,
horrid (informal),
repellent,
unsavoury,
obnoxious,
unpalatable,
displeasing,
repulsive,
objectionable,
repugnant,
uninviting,
yucky or yukky (slang),
yucko (Australian, slang)
Synonyms of 'repulsive'
repulsive
Explore 'repulsive' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of distasteful
Definition
unpleasant or offensive
an extremely unpleasant and distasteful experience
Synonyms
unpleasant,
offensive,
obscene,
undesirable,
unsavoury,
obnoxious,
unpalatable,
displeasing,
repulsive,
objectionable,
disagreeable,
repugnant,
loathsome,
abhorrent,
nauseous,
uninviting
in the sense of foul
Definition
full of dirt or offensive matter
foul, polluted water
Synonyms
dirty,
rank,
offensive,
nasty,
disgusting,
unpleasant,
revolting,
contaminated,
rotten,
polluted,
stinking,
filthy,
tainted,
grubby,
repellent,
squalid,
repulsive,
sullied,
grimy,
nauseating,
loathsome,
unclean,
impure,
grotty (slang),
fetid,
grungy (slang),
putrid,
malodorous,
noisome,
scuzzy (slang),
skanky (slang),
mephitic,
olid,
yucky or yukky (slang),
festy (Australian, slang),
yucko (Australian, slang)
in the sense of hateful
Definition
causing or deserving hate
Why must I live in this hateful place?
Synonyms
horrible,
despicable,
offensive,
foul,
disgusting,
forbidding,
revolting,
obscene,
vile,
repellent,
obnoxious,
repulsive,
heinous,
odious,
repugnant,
loathsome,
abhorrent,
abominable,
execrable,
detestable
in the sense of hideous
Definition
extremely ugly or unpleasant
She saw a hideous face at the window and screamed.
Synonyms
ugly,
revolting,
ghastly,
monstrous,
grotesque,
gruesome,
grisly,
unsightly,
repulsive,
fugly (US, Australian)
in the sense of horrid
Definition
disagreeable or unpleasant
What a horrid smell!
Synonyms
unpleasant,
terrible (informal),
awful,
offensive,
nasty,
disgusting,
horrible,
dreadful,
obscene,
disagreeable,
yucky or yukky (slang),
yucko (Australian, slang)
in the sense of loathsome
Definition
causing loathing
the loathsome spectacle we were obliged to witness
Synonyms
hateful,
offensive,
nasty,
disgusting,
horrible,
revolting,
obscene,
vile,
obnoxious,
repulsive,
nauseating,
odious,
repugnant,
abhorrent,
abominable,
execrable,
detestable,
yucky or yukky (slang),
yucko (Australian, slang)
in the sense of nauseating
The judge described the offences as nauseating and unspeakable.
Synonyms
disgusting,
offensive,
appalling,
nasty,
foul,
revolting,
sickening,
ghastly,
vile,
obnoxious,
repulsive,
odious,
repugnant,
loathsome,
abhorrent,
abominable,
stomach-churning,
stomach-turning,
repellant,
sick-making
in the sense of objectionable
Definition
offensive or unacceptable
an objectionable, stuck-up young woman
Synonyms
offensive,
annoying,
irritating,
unacceptable,
unpleasant,
rude,
intolerable,
undesirable,
distasteful,
obnoxious,
deplorable,
displeasing,
unseemly,
disagreeable,
repugnant,
abhorrent,
beyond the pale,
insufferable,
detestable,
discourteous,
uncivil,
unmannerly,
exceptionable,
dislikable or dislikeable
in the sense of obnoxious
Definition
extremely unpleasant
The people at my table were so obnoxious, I had to leave.
Synonyms
loathsome,
offensive,
nasty,
foul,
disgusting,
unpleasant,
revolting,
obscene,
sickening,
vile,
horrid (informal),
repellent,
repulsive,
objectionable,
disagreeable,
nauseating,
odious,
hateful,
repugnant,
reprehensible,
abhorrent,
abominable,
insufferable,
execrable,
detestable,
hateable,
dislikable or dislikeable,
yucky or yukky (slang),
yucko (Australian, slang)
in the sense of obscene
Definition
disgusting
It was obscene to spend millions producing unwanted food.
Synonyms
offensive,
shocking,
evil,
disgusting,
outrageous,
revolting,
sickening,
vile,
wicked,
repellent,
atrocious,
obnoxious,
heinous,
nauseating,
odious,
loathsome,
abominable,
detestable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of odious
Definition
offensive or hateful
He's the most odious man I have ever met.
Synonyms
offensive,
nasty,
foul,
disgusting,
horrible,
unpleasant,
revolting,
obscene,
sickening,
vile,
horrid,
repellent,
unsavoury,
obnoxious,
unpalatable,
repulsive,
disagreeable,
nauseating,
hateful,
repugnant,
loathsome,
abhorrent,
abominable,
execrable,
detestable,
yucky or yukky (slang),
yucko (Australian, slang)
in the sense of offensive
Definition
unpleasant or disgusting to the senses
the offensive smell of manure
Synonyms
disgusting,
gross,
nasty,
foul,
unpleasant,
revolting,
stinking,
sickening,
vile,
repellent,
unsavoury,
obnoxious,
unpalatable,
objectionable,
disagreeable,
nauseating,
odious,
repugnant,
loathsome,
abominable,
grotty (slang),
detestable,
noisome,
yucky or yukky (slang),
festy (Australian, slang),
yucko (Australian, slang)
in the sense of repellent
Definition
disgusting or distasteful
She still found the place repellent.
Synonyms
disgusting,
offensive,
revolting,
obscene,
sickening,
distasteful,
horrid (informal),
obnoxious,
repulsive,
noxious,
nauseating,
odious,
hateful,
repugnant,
off-putting (British, informal),
loathsome,
abhorrent,
abominable,
cringe-making (British, informal),
yucky or yukky (slang),
yucko (Australian, slang),
discouraging
in the sense of revolting
Definition
horrible and disgusting
The smell in the cell was revolting.
Synonyms
disgusting,
shocking,
offensive,
appalling,
nasty,
foul,
horrible,
obscene,
sickening,
distasteful,
horrid (informal),
repellent,
obnoxious,
repulsive,
nauseating,
repugnant,
loathsome,
abhorrent,
abominable,
nauseous,
cringe-making (British, informal),
noisome,
yucky or yukky (slang),
yucko (Australian, slang)
in the sense of sickening
Definition
causing horror or disgust
This was a sickening attack on a defenceless creature.
Synonyms
disgusting,
revolting,
vile,
offensive,
foul,
distasteful,
repulsive,
nauseating,
loathsome,
nauseous,
gut-wrenching,
putrid,
stomach-turning (informal),
cringe-making (British, informal),
noisome,
yucky or yukky (slang),
yucko (Australian, slang)
in the sense of ugly
Definition
repulsive or displeasing
an ugly scene
Synonyms
unpleasant,
shocking,
terrible (informal),
offensive,
nasty,
disgusting,
revolting,
obscene,
hideous,
monstrous,
vile,
distasteful,
horrid (informal),
repulsive,
frightful,
objectionable,
disagreeable,
repugnant
in the sense of unpleasant
Definition
not pleasant or agreeable
They tolerated what they felt was an unpleasant situation.