rebarbative

adjective

ri-ˈbär-bə-tiv How to pronounce rebarbative (audio)
Definition of rebarbativenext
as in irritating
causing annoyance there are aspects of that writer's personality that any reasonable person would regard as rebarbative, but we're just reading his novels—not marrying him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rebarbative Why not place a bet on Tala Madani, whose desultory drawing and wildly rebarbative conceits might have the impact at the Met that artists like Matisse once had in Paris? — Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2023 One wonders why a skinny, rebarbative marionette should be getting so much attention. — Joan Acocella, The New Yorker, 6 June 2022 But Krugman can also sound like a cross between a bloodthirsty Robespierre and a rebarbative GIF. — Sebastian Mallaby, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebarbative
  1. irritating
  2. annoying
  3. frustrating
  4. disturbing
Adjective
  • His irritating habit of starting each meeting with the ping of a bell reinforces his personality.
    — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The larger battery gives it the sort of range that makes an EV genuinely useful for long-distance driving, while the interior avoids some of the irritating touchscreen-heavy trends found elsewhere.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of irritating
Adjective
  • Dimes Square has like an annoying stereotype — people are kind of like, uh, jeans and a tank top.
    — Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026
  • When Mel arrives, all hell breaks loose, but at least the perpetually charming Fisher is up for the task of playing someone who is both completely annoying and totally winning.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of annoying
Adjective
  • At this point in the draft, every RB has questions, but volume remains king, and Harvey could be in a frustrating battle for touches all season.
    — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Bohm’s Phillies career has been sometimes frustrating, sometimes exciting, sometimes perplexing.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of frustrating
Adjective
  • Last awards season, the gossip around town, salacious and disturbing in equal measure, was that hotel suites all over Hollywood were populated by tailors taking in gowns coming straight off the runway.
    — Marti Noxon, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The disturbing situation came to light after a tree fell on the home during a storm.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbing

Browse Nearby Words

reawoke
rebarbative
rebate
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Cite this Entry

“Rebarbative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebarbative. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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