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Repulsive Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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repulsive

[rɪˈpʌlsɪv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Causing a feeling of disgust or aversion; tending to repel or drive away.

Synonyms

abhorrent, disgusting, offensive, revolting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
repulsive

Repulsive is suitable for describing something that is extremely unpleasant and pushes people away, often because it is physically gross or morally wrong.

  • The smell coming from the dumpster was absolutely repulsive.
  • His behavior towards his colleagues was repulsive.
disgusting

Disgusting refers to something that causes a strong feeling of disgust due to its extreme unpleasantness, often connected to taste, smell, or appearance.

  • The leftovers in the fridge were growing mold and looked disgusting.
  • She found the idea of eating insects utterly disgusting.
revolting

Revolting describes something that is extremely unpleasant and can make someone feel sick, similar to disgusting but often more intense.

  • The condition of the public restroom was revolting.
  • The thought of eating raw meat was revolting to her.
offensive

Offensive is used to describe something that causes someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset, often because it is disrespectful or insulting.

  • His remarks about her appearance were incredibly offensive.
  • The comedian's jokes were considered offensive by many in the audience.
abhorrent

Abhorrent is used to describe something that is deeply hated or detested, usually because it is morally offensive or unethical.

  • Animal cruelty is abhorrent to most people.
  • The idea of betraying his friends was abhorrent to him.

Examples of usage

  • The repulsive smell coming from the garbage can made me gag.
  • His repulsive behavior towards others alienated him from his friends.
  • I found the horror movie to be too repulsive to watch till the end.
Context #2 | Adjective

physics

Of or relating to a force that tends to push away.

Synonyms

driving, expelling, pushing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
repulsive

Used to describe something that causes a strong feeling of disgust or aversion.

  • The smell from the trash can was repulsive.
  • His behavior at the party was simply repulsive.
pushing

Describes the act of exerting force on an object to move it away from oneself. Doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation.

  • She was pushing the cart down the aisle.
  • He kept pushing despite feeling tired.
driving

Can be used to describe the act of operating a vehicle or something that provides motivation and force. Note that it doesn't share the same negative connotation as the other words in the list.

  • She was driving to work when she heard the news.
  • He has a driving ambition to succeed in his career.
expelling

Used when talking about forcing something out, often from a place or group. Can have a negative connotation if referring to someone being expelled.

  • The school is expelling students who are caught cheating.
  • The process involves expelling waste from the body.

Examples of usage

  • Magnets have both attractive and repulsive forces.
  • The repulsive force between the electrons keeps the atoms from collapsing.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Research shows that feelings of repulsion can be linked to evolutionary survival instincts, helping humans avoid harmful substances.
  • The term is often associated with aversion theory in psychology, where negative feelings trigger specific reactions to avoid threats.
  • Repulsive stimuli can activate the amygdala, the brain region involved in processing fear, indicating its power in emotional response.

Pop Culture

  • Movies frequently use repulsive imagery, such as horror films that evoke disgust to heighten tension and an emotional reaction.
  • In literature, authors often describe characters or actions as 'repulsive' to create a strong negative impression and evoke sympathy or anger.
  • Many songs and artworks explore themes of repulsion, pushing audiences to confront uncomfortable feelings about society or personal experiences.

Chemistry

  • In chemistry, certain compounds can be described as repulsive when they emit foul odors or produce negative reactions in living organisms.
  • Biochemists study repulsion at the molecular level, where certain molecules avoid interactions due to their charge or structure.
  • The field of materials science also examines repulsive properties, such as how coatings can repel water or dirt to improve surfaces.

Art

  • Artists sometimes use repulsive themes to challenge viewers, encouraging them to reflect on societal taboos or personal discomforts.
  • Some contemporary art pieces intentionally include repulsive elements to provoke thought and engage audiences on deeper themes.
  • The juxtaposition of beauty and repulsion is prevalent in art history, where artists explore the boundaries of acceptance and distaste.

Origin of 'repulsive'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'repulsive' originates from the Latin 'repulsus,' meaning 'driven back' or 'pushed away,' hinting at its strong negative feelings.
  • It entered the English language around the late 15th century, reflecting disgust in both physical and emotional contexts.
  • The prefix 're-' means 'back' and 'pulsare' means 'to push,' combining to signify pushing away from something unpleasant.

The word 'repulsive' originated from the Latin word 'repulsivus', which means to repel or drive back. Over time, the term evolved to describe things or actions that cause a strong feeling of disgust or aversion. The concept of repulsion is not only found in human emotions but also in physics, where it refers to a force that pushes objects away from each other. The history of the word 'repulsive' reflects its dual nature of both emotional and physical repulsion.

See also: repulse, repulsion, repulsively, repulsiveness.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,005, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.