repulsive

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective offensive to the mind
  2. adjective possessing the ability to repel
  3. adjective so extremely ugly as to be terrifying

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French repulsif, from Medieval Latin repulsivus, from Latin repulsus. By surface analysis, repuls(e) + -ive. Compare typologically Polish odpychający (< pchnąć), Russian отта́лкивающий (ottálkivajuščij) (< толкну́ть (tolknútʹ)).

In classic literature

Synonyms

abhorrent, detestable, obscene, repugnant

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