Repulsively: meaning, definitions and examples

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repulsively

[rɪˈpʌlsɪvli ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in a negative manner

In a manner causing strong dislike or disgust.

Synonyms

disgustingly, offensively, revoltingly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
repulsively	Used to describe something that causes a strong feeling of aversion or disgust. Often used for physical appearances or behaviors. The garbage smelled repulsively bad His repulsively rude comments made everyone uncomfortable
disgustingly	Used to emphasize the extreme level of disgust something evokes. It can be used both for physical things and behaviors. The soup was disgustingly salty He behaved disgustingly towards the waiter
offensively	Used to describe actions or words that are likely to upset or insult someone. Typically related to spoken or written language. She spoke offensively to her colleague His joke was considered offensively inappropriate by the audience
revoltingly	Used to describe something extremely unpleasant, often inducing strong feelings of disgust. Can be used for physical sensations or behaviors. The leftovers smelled revoltingly rotten His revoltingly cruel actions shocked everyone

Examples of usage

She looked at him repulsively.
The smell from the garbage was repulsively strong.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'repulsus', meaning 'driven back' or 'repelled'.
It is formed from 'repulse', which adds the suffix '-ively' to indicate the manner of the action.
Related terms include 'repel' and 'repulsion', all having to do with the idea of pushing away.

Psychology

Certain smells, like spoiled food, can trigger a repulsive response as a natural defense mechanism.
Visual stimuli, such as unsightly images, can cause immediate emotional reactions, often leading to aversion.
Repulsiveness is sometimes connected to the concept of 'disgust', which plays a key role in human survival.

Literature

Many horror stories use repulsive imagery to invoke fear, creating a vivid mental picture that disturbs the reader.
Authors often describe characters or situations as repulsive to emphasize moral corruption or evil actions.
In poetry, using repulsive language can enhance the emotional weight of a piece, leaving a lasting impact.

Cultural Perspectives

Different cultures may have varying thresholds for what is considered repulsive, especially in terms of food and traditions.
In art, what’s considered repulsive can be creatively expressed to challenge societal norms or provoke thought.
Fashion can also play with the concept of repulsiveness, with avant-garde designers pushing boundaries to elicit strong reactions.

Science

In biology, organisms often exhibit repulsion towards predators or toxins as a survival adaptation.
Repulsive forces in physics, such as those found in magnets, demonstrate how opposite forces can drive things apart.
In the study of diseases, researchers examine repulsive symptoms to understand how the body reacts to infections.

Translations

Translations of the word "repulsively" in other languages:

🇵🇹 repulsivamente

🇮🇳 घृणित रूप से

🇩🇪 abstoßend

🇮🇩 secara menjijikkan

🇺🇦 відразливо

🇵🇱 odrażająco

🇯🇵 嫌悪感を抱かせるように

🇫🇷 de manière répulsive

🇪🇸 repulsivamente

🇹🇷 itici bir şekilde

🇰🇷 혐오스럽게

🇸🇦 بشكل مقزز

🇨🇿 odpudivě

🇸🇰 odpudivo

🇨🇳 令人厌恶地

🇸🇮 odvračilno

🇮🇸 fráhrifa

🇰🇿 жек көруші түрде

🇬🇪 მოწამლური

🇦🇿 təəccüblü şəkildə

🇲🇽 repulsivamente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,760, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

...
39757 disobliged
39758 acclimating
39759 whiteout
39760 repulsively
39761 walloping
39762 extortionist
39763 wiseacre
...