Obnoxious Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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obnoxious
[əbˈnɑːkʃəs ]
Definitions
behavior
Extremely unpleasant or offensive; annoying or objectionable.
Synonyms
disgusting, irritating, offensive, repulsive, vulgar.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| obnoxious |
Used to describe someone or something that is extremely unpleasant, often in a loud or rude way.
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| offensive |
Refers to something that causes someone to feel hurt, upset, or insulted, often because of words or actions that are inappropriate.
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| disgusting |
Refers to something that causes a strong feeling of dislike or even nausea.
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| repulsive |
Describes something that is so unpleasant it causes a strong feeling of disgust.
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| vulgar |
Used to describe something that is lacking in good taste, often due to being rude or offensive.
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| irritating |
Used when something or someone causes slight anger or annoyance over time.
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Examples of usage
- He had an obnoxious habit of interrupting people.
- She found his arrogance obnoxious.
- Don't be so obnoxious, nobody likes that behavior.
- The obnoxious smell filled the room.
- I can't stand his obnoxious attitude.
person
Highly objectionable or offensive.
Synonyms
disagreeable, disrespectful, repugnant, unpleasant, vulgar.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| obnoxious |
Used to describe someone or something that is extremely annoying and unpleasant, often intentionally. Typically has a strong negative connotation.
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| disagreeable |
Refers to someone or something that is unpleasant or not easy to get along with. It can be used in both mild and strong negative situations.
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| repugnant |
Used to describe something that is extremely distasteful or unacceptable. It's a strong negative term, often used for things that provoke a strong sense of disgust.
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| unpleasant |
Generally means not giving pleasure or satisfaction; can be used for milder negative feelings or experiences.
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| vulgar |
Describes something that is crude, indecent or lacking sophistication. Often used to talk about speech or behavior that is considered inappropriate or offensive.
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| disrespectful |
Describes someone showing a lack of respect or courtesy, typically towards another person or authority. It's often used in contexts involving social or hierarchical interactions.
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Examples of usage
- He can be really obnoxious when he's in a bad mood.
- She made an obnoxious comment about his appearance.
- The obnoxious man continued to make rude remarks.
- His obnoxious behavior caused everyone to avoid him.
- Don't be so obnoxious, it's not necessary.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Pop Culture
- In popular media, obnoxious characters often serve as comic relief, exaggerating traits for humor, like loud neighbors in sitcoms.
- The term is frequently used in music and lyrics to describe people whose behavior disrupts fun or creates tension in social situations.
- Reality TV often features obnoxious personalities whose extreme behavior captivates viewers and drives drama.
Psychology
- Research indicates that obnoxious behavior can stem from a desire for attention or asserting dominance in social settings.
- Being around obnoxious individuals may lead to increased stress levels and negative moods in observers.
- People often misunderstand obnoxious behavior as confidence, though it may hide insecurities.
Social Dynamics
- Obnoxious behavior can impact social groups, causing rifts or leading to a lack of cooperation among members.
- The phenomenon of 'obnoxiousness' can sometimes be culturally dependent, where actions perceived as annoying in one culture may be acceptable in another.
- Conflict resolution often requires addressing obnoxious behaviors to restore harmony in friendships and workplaces.
Language and Usage
- Commonly used in everyday conversations, the term has become a catch-all for a variety of annoying actions, from loud talking to rude comments.
- Synonyms include offensive, irritating, and bothersome, each carrying a slightly different nuance of annoyance.
- The fictional character Cartman from 'South Park' is often cited as a quintessential example of an obnoxious person in entertainment.
Origin of 'obnoxious'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'obnoxious' comes from Latin roots: 'obnoxius,' meaning 'harmful' or 'exposed to danger.'
- Original use of the word in English dates back to the early 17th century, primarily describing someone's exposure to criticism or harm.
- The modern sense of the word evolved through the 19th century to emphasize annoyance rather than danger.
The word 'obnoxious' originated in the late 16th century from the Latin word 'obnoxiosus', meaning 'subject to control'. Over time, the meaning shifted to its current usage to describe something highly unpleasant or offensive. The word has been commonly used in English literature and everyday language to convey a strong sense of disapproval or annoyance.