repulsive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'repulsive' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something or someone that causes a feeling of intense dislike or disgust. Example sentence: The smell of the garbage was so repulsive that I had to cover my nose.

✓ 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 feeling of disgust or aversion. Ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the negative reaction.

Common error

Avoid using "repulsive" in formal or professional settings unless a strong negative reaction is warranted. Opt for more neutral terms like "unpleasant" or "undesirable" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "repulsive" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that causes intense distaste or aversion. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates a strong negative emotional or physical reaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "repulsive" is a potent adjective used to describe something that evokes strong disgust or aversion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the context and desired intensity when employing "repulsive", as alternatives like "disgusting" or "offensive" may be more suitable in formal or less emotionally charged scenarios. Its frequent occurrence in News & Media underscores its role in expressing strong negative opinions, whereas its presence in scientific and philosophical texts often relates to the description of forces or abstract concepts. Over all, remember to wield "repulsive" with intent, ensuring that it enhances rather than detracts from your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disgusting

Indicates a strong feeling of revulsion or disapproval.

abhorrent

Suggests a feeling of repugnance and moral aversion.

revolting

Implies a strong, almost visceral feeling of disgust.

detestable

Conveys intense dislike or hatred.

repugnant

Indicates something extremely distasteful or unacceptable.

offensive

Describes something that causes displeasure or resentment.

nauseating

Suggests something that causes a feeling of sickness or disgust.

loathsome

Indicates something extremely unpleasant and hateful.

obnoxious

Describes something highly disagreeable or offensive.

distasteful

Implies something unpleasant or disagreeable to one's taste or sensibilities.

FAQs

How can I use "repulsive" in a sentence?

You can use "repulsive" to describe something that evokes strong disgust or aversion, such as "The smell was absolutely repulsive". Consider the intensity of the reaction you want to convey.

What are some alternatives to using "repulsive"?

Alternatives to "repulsive" include "disgusting", "abhorrent", or "revolting", each carrying slightly different nuances of aversion.

Is it appropriate to use "repulsive" in formal writing?

While "repulsive" is a valid word, it carries a strong negative connotation. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "unpleasant" or "undesirable" unless you specifically intend to emphasize strong aversion.

What is the difference between "repulsive" and "offensive"?

"Repulsive" describes something that causes intense disgust, while "offensive" describes something that causes displeasure or insult. Something can be offensive without being repulsive, and vice versa.