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repulsive

[ ri-puhl-siv ]
/ rɪˈpʌl sɪv /
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adjective
causing repugnance or aversion: a repulsive mask.
capable of causing repulsion; serving to repulse: to present enough repulsive force to keep the enemy from daring to attack.
tending to drive away or keep at a distance; cold; forbidding: arrogant, repulsive airs to frighten the timid.
Physics. of the nature of or characterized by physical repulsion.
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Origin of repulsive

First recorded in 1590–1600; repulse + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM repulsive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH repulsive

repellent, repulsive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use repulsive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for repulsive

repulsive
/ (rɪˈpʌlsɪv) /

adjective
causing or occasioning repugnance; loathsome; disgusting or distastefula repulsive sight
tending to repel, esp by coldness and discourtesy
physics concerned with, producing, or being a repulsion

Derived forms of repulsive

repulsively, adverbrepulsiveness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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