REPELLENT Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

repellent

adjective

ri-ˈpe-lənt

variants also repellant

Definition of repellent

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment your snobbish behavior towards my friends is so repellent I can't stand to be around you anymore

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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 repellent While there’s evidence that some plant extracts may have repellant properties, that doesn’t mean lining your deck with these plants will work. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 3 July 2026 Mosquito-repellent stickers, sprays and rodent repellent pouches designed to help protect both your home and outdoor spaces. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 For tick prevention, Hayes recommends long pants tucked into socks, duct tape wrapped sticky-side out around the ankle, and chemical repellents over essential-oil products — pointing readers to the EPA’s repellent search engine to find effective options. — Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026 To be clear, this isn’t a repellent but actually an insecticide. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for repellent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for repellent

Adjective

There is real hope of a postseason push, with the disgusting state of the American League leaving the door open for any team that dares to play well.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
This whole situation is discriminatory, disgusting, and quite frankly, Orwellian.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of disgusting

Adjective

The seventh-round rookie threw an ugly interception in the first quarter, while backpedaling and off his back foot.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Several leading Democrats, including Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, issued statements denouncing Piker’s ugly warning to the Jews as a barely veiled anti-Semitic threat.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ugly

Adjective

But that team’s awful 2026 season meant any shock switch was a non-starter.

— Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Kavulich believes that at some point, the situation is going to turn so awful that either Cuban leaders will be forced to change, or the United States will intervene.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

As horrible news stories go, few could compare with what happened on a Greek holiday island Monday.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ terrible, horrible, no good, very bad reelection campaign just got worse after Wednesday night’s debate in Sherman Oaks.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

Wildlife officials had found that many of these poisons worked their way through the food chain, sickening and killing owls, raptors, coyotes and mountain lions.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
More importantly, the China business, long a stalwart, started a sickening double-digit decline.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of sickening

Adjective

Thank goodness Angie Nixon is not an aggressively obnoxious member of the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America).

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Stuff like Caitlin Clark getting mugged with no foul being called, or Sophie Cunningham pointing at some obnoxious player, or ESPN drooling over a coach wearing a pro-trans shirt.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of obnoxious

Adjective

In front of adoring fans in Shanghai, the UFC veteran and perennial contender in the UFC bantamweight division scored a shocking upset win over Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event on Saturday.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The August nonfarm payrolls report that releases Friday will be coming off a low set of expectations, given the shocking loss of jobs in July.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of shocking

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repellency

repellent

repelling

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“Repellent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repellent. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of repellent

adjective

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