adjective

repulsive

rih-PUL-siv/rɪˈpʌlsɪv/

Having a tendency to drive something away.

The spoiled food's repulsive smell drives the person backward in disgust.

An adult recoiling from spoiled food uncovered in a plain container, realistic expression of intense disgust, not grotesque.

Etymology

reLatinback

+pulsLatinto drive, strike

+iveLatintending to

Repulsive originally meant having the power to “drive back.” It came to describe behavior that put people off, such as coldness of manner, and then things that provoke disgust or offend taste and feeling.

In context

Prof. Sam Vaknin111:58

nothing more repulsive than the spoiled brat

How Narcissist Falls Apart (Compilation)

More examples

The repulsive force grows stronger as the magnets move closer.
Two positively charged particles have a repulsive interaction.
The model includes both attractive and repulsive forces.

Forms

repulsive · more repulsive · most repulsive

repel verb — To push or drive something away.

repulsion noun — A force that pushes objects apart.

Similar words

repellent: Often describes substances that keep insects or other pests away.