repulsive

[ ri-puhl-siv ]
/ rɪˈpʌl sɪv /

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.

Origin of repulsive

First recorded in 1590–1600; repulse + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM repulsive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH repulsive

repellent repulsive

Example sentences from the Web for repulsive

British Dictionary definitions for repulsive

repulsive
/ (rɪˈpʌlsɪv) /

adjective

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

Derived forms of repulsive

repulsively, adverb repulsiveness, noun