repellent.

1. Causing strong dislike, distaste, or a desire to turn away.

2. A substance or preparation used to deter insects or other unwanted organisms.

3. Tending to repel or drive something away through a physical effect.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• a repellent appearance
• a repellent suggestion

On the page

The repellent appearance made her hesitate before touching the handle.

He found the suggestion repellent because it required betraying the witness.

Usage notes

Primary category: horror. Forms: Comparative more repellent; superlative most repellent where gradation is meaningful. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.