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REPULSIVE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Possessing the ability to repel
Example:
a repulsive force
Classified under:
Attribute:
repulsion; repulsive force (the force by which bodies repel one another)
Domain category:
natural philosophy; physics (the science of matter and energy and their interactions)
Antonym:
attractive (having the properties of a magnet; the ability to draw or pull)
Derivation:
repel (force or drive back)
repel (cause to move back by force or influence)
repulsiveness (the quality of being disgusting to the senses or emotions)
Sense 2
Meaning:
So extremely ugly as to be terrifying
Example:
a repulsive mask
Synonyms:
hideous; repulsive
Classified under:
Similar:
ugly (displeasing to the senses)
Derivation:
repel (be repellent to; cause aversion in)
repel (fill with distaste)
repulsiveness (the quality of being disgusting to the senses or emotions)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Offensive to the mind
Example:
the most repulsive character in recent novels
Synonyms:
abhorrent; detestable; obscene; repugnant; repulsive
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
offensive (unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses)
Derivation:
repel (be repellent to; cause aversion in)
repel (fill with distaste)
repulsiveness (the quality of being disgusting to the senses or emotions)
Context examples:
As I turn over the pages, I see my notes upon the repulsive story of the red leech and the terrible death of Crosby, the banker.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
There was nothing in any of the party which could recommend them as companions to the Dashwoods; but the cold insipidity of Lady Middleton was so particularly repulsive, that in comparison of it the gravity of Colonel Brandon, and even the boisterous mirth of Sir John and his mother-in-law was interesting.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
For, with respect to that part of the earth over which the monarch presides, the stone is endued at one of its sides with an attractive power, and at the other with a repulsive.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
Every lingering struggle in his favour grew fainter and fainter; and in farther justification of Mr. Darcy, she could not but allow that Mr. Bingley, when questioned by Jane, had long ago asserted his blamelessness in the affair; that proud and repulsive as were his manners, she had never, in the whole course of their acquaintance—an acquaintance which had latterly brought them much together, and given her a sort of intimacy with his ways—seen anything that betrayed him to be unprincipled or unjust—anything that spoke him of irreligious or immoral habits; that among his own connections he was esteemed and valued—that even Wickham had allowed him merit as a brother, and that she had often heard him speak so affectionately of his sister as to prove him capable of some amiable feeling; that had his actions been what Mr. Wickham represented them, so gross a violation of everything right could hardly have been concealed from the world; and that friendship between a person capable of it, and such an amiable man as Mr. Bingley, was incomprehensible.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
She had never seen him unshaven, and the three days' growth of beard on his face was repulsive to her.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
The worst appeared inevitable; and as I paced the deck, hour after hour, I found myself afflicted with Wolf Larsen’s repulsive ideas.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
There was a wilderness of beautiful white flowers, and death was made as little repulsive as might be.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
M. Krempe was a little squat man with a gruff voice and a repulsive countenance; the teacher, therefore, did not prepossess me in favour of his pursuits.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
She must admire him as a fine-looking man, with most gentlemanlike, dignified, consistent manners; but perhaps, having seen him so seldom, his reserve may be a little repulsive.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
He was, as the inspector had said, extremely dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its repulsive ugliness.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
