Repulsive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Repulsive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely distasteful or disgusting. Example: "The smell coming from the garbage was absolutely repulsive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to a "well-informed source", it "was not her strategy for world peace" that snared Clooney (obviously not – intellect is repulsive in a woman): it was that she "played hard to get".

The Guardian - Opinion

Even famed photographer Annie Lebowitz chimed in and said that men in shorts were "repulsive", and that shorts made men look like children, harkening back to the origins of the apparel.

The Guardian - Opinion

Think of your damehood less as a compromise, then, and more in the language of the repulsive prime location ad: "This is your trophy... this is your reward and deservedly so".

The Guardian - Opinion

"There are some people out there who think that I'm repulsive, that I'm not even human.

The Guardian - Film

Piers Morgan lambasted Turner on Twitter, later writing that the incident was "a repulsive insult to every single person who has ever been genuinely raped".

The Guardian - Film

Blair sees dream interpretation – which can itself produce subsequent clearer, or more baffling, dreams – as like "kneading dough", working with an issue that might at first be too frightening or repulsive to apprehend, until it's in a state that you're ready to deal with.

The Guardian - Opinion

King's marriage provoked Ian Paisley Jr into denouncing gay wedlock and love as repulsive, sparking a major row between the two unionist parties, with the UUP accusing the DUP of exploiting individuals' private lives for political purposes.

The Guardian

The director then proceeded to make mincemeat of Oliver Hirschbiegel's Downfall ("repulsive and dumb") before moving onto Schindler's List.

The Guardian - Film

If the imbalance does not result from primitive loyalty, on the Queen's part, to the wishes of her repulsive ancestor (since we must surely rule out her violent antipathy towards all appropriately qualified women of the last 63 years), it is not impossible, in the household that saw off Diana, to imagine ungovernable misogyny among her courtiers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Other people find it repulsive.

The Guardian

But even John Buchan's stories, in which heroic white men battled and worsted repulsive natives, excited rather than troubled him.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "repulsive" to describe something that elicits a strong sense of disgust or aversion. Ensure the context clearly indicates the source and reason for the repulsion.

Common error

Avoid using "repulsive" to describe mildly unpleasant situations. Reserve it for scenarios that genuinely evoke strong disgust, as overuse can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "repulsive" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that causes strong dislike or aversion. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, highlighting its descriptive power.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academic

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "repulsive" is a common and effective way to describe something that elicits strong disgust or aversion. Ludwig's AI analysis indicates that the term is grammatically correct and sees frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, media and scientific publications. While alternatives like "disgusting" or "abhorrent" can be used, "repulsive" carries a particular weight that should be reserved for situations genuinely evoking strong negative reactions. Avoiding overuse in milder contexts will help maintain the impact of this descriptive adjective. The analysis confirms its widespread use and acceptability in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disgusting

Implies a strong aversion often related to sensory experiences like taste or smell.

Abhorrent

Suggests a deep moral repugnance or detestation.

Revolting

Similar to disgusting, but often implies a more visceral reaction.

Repugnant

Indicates something extremely unpleasant or offensive.

Offensive

Describes something that causes displeasure or resentment.

Loathsome

Evokes intense dislike and disgust.

Detestable

Implies a strong feeling of hate or aversion.

Distasteful

Suggests something unpleasant but not necessarily disgusting.

Obnoxious

Describes something extremely unpleasant or annoying.

Unsightly

Refers to something visually unpleasant or unattractive.

FAQs

How can I use "repulsive" in a sentence?

You can use "repulsive" to describe something that causes strong aversion or disgust. For example, "The smell was absolutely repulsive" or "His behavior was repulsive to everyone".

What can I say instead of "repulsive"?

You can use alternatives like "disgusting", "abhorrent", or "revolting" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "repulsive" or "repulsing"?

"Repulsive" is an adjective describing something that causes repulsion, while "repulsing" is a verb form. For example, "The sight was repulsive" versus "The sight was repulsing me".

What's the difference between "repulsive" and "offensive"?

"Repulsive" implies a stronger, more visceral reaction of disgust, while "offensive" suggests something that causes displeasure or hurt feelings. "Repulsive" is often used for physical sensations or extreme behaviors, whereas "offensive" is more frequently used for actions, words, or ideas.