obnoxious
adjective
ob·nox·ious äb-ˈnäk-shəs 
əb-
1
: odiously or disgustingly objectionable : highly offensive
2
archaic : exposed to something unpleasant or harmful —used with to
3
archaic : deserving of censure
obnoxiously adverb
obnoxiousness noun
Synonyms
- abhorrent
- abominable
- appalling
- awful
- disgusting
- distasteful
- dreadful
- evil
- foul
- fulsome
- gross
- hideous
- horrendous
- horrible
- horrid
- loathsome
- nasty
- nauseating
- nauseous
- noisome
- noxious
- obscene
- odious
- offensive
- rancid
- repellent
- repellant
- repugnant
- repulsive
- revolting
- scandalous
- shocking
- sickening
- ugly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Let's get right into it. The title of your book, Why We Suck, is pretty obnoxious. Are we really that bad? 
Rachel Deahl, Boston Globe, 30 Nov. 2008 "Not to sound obnoxious, but this downturn could be good for us," says Max Levchin, founder and CEO of Slide, in San Francisco. "Some of our competitors are going to go out of business." Daniel Lyons, Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2008 Now that many large cities are surrounded by Stygian fields of concrete tedium, urban sprawl looks like an obnoxious side effect of prosperity and decline. Graham Robb, The Discovery of France, 2007 The teller's eyes widened as a customer poured thousands of pennies onto the counter, an intentionally obnoxious way to pay a high heating bill. Erik Eckholm, New York Times, 26 June 2006 He said some really obnoxious things about his ex-girlfriend at the party. Some teenagers were being loud and obnoxious. See More
Rachel Deahl, Boston Globe, 30 Nov. 2008 "Not to sound obnoxious, but this downturn could be good for us," says Max Levchin, founder and CEO of Slide, in San Francisco. "Some of our competitors are going to go out of business." Daniel Lyons, Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2008 Now that many large cities are surrounded by Stygian fields of concrete tedium, urban sprawl looks like an obnoxious side effect of prosperity and decline. Graham Robb, The Discovery of France, 2007 The teller's eyes widened as a customer poured thousands of pennies onto the counter, an intentionally obnoxious way to pay a high heating bill. Erik Eckholm, New York Times, 26 June 2006 He said some really obnoxious things about his ex-girlfriend at the party. Some teenagers were being loud and obnoxious. See More Recent Examples on the Web When the British actor first read the script for his introductory scene—where Eddie is grandstanding and being a bit obnoxious in the high school cafeteria—his first thought was that the character was going to be really difficult to like. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 July 2022 Also joining the cast are Shirley MacLaine and Amy Schumer, who will play a more obnoxious version of herself. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 May 2022 Quiñones is equal parts obnoxious and charming as Luis, like the class clown who never did figure out when to get serious. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2022 His character, Ransom Drysdale, is obnoxious and sly but has an undeniable taste in knitwear. Sophie Hanson, Harper's BAZAAR, 3 Aug. 2022 This platitude has come to be a constant refrain on social media, as obnoxious and frequent as a car insurance commercial. Jenny Singer, Glamour, 23 June 2022 Satire has always had an admonitory function, and besides, some people are so obnoxious that a writer has to slow-walk the reader through their awfulness. Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 11 May 2022 No one could be faulted for seeing the incident as a slap-back at the showbiz establishment’s most obnoxious figure. Armond White, National Review, 30 Mar. 2022 But as folks go back to the office, some find the sounds obnoxious — and annoying. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 5 Apr. 2022 See More
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 July 2022 Also joining the cast are Shirley MacLaine and Amy Schumer, who will play a more obnoxious version of herself. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 May 2022 Quiñones is equal parts obnoxious and charming as Luis, like the class clown who never did figure out when to get serious. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2022 His character, Ransom Drysdale, is obnoxious and sly but has an undeniable taste in knitwear. Sophie Hanson, Harper's BAZAAR, 3 Aug. 2022 This platitude has come to be a constant refrain on social media, as obnoxious and frequent as a car insurance commercial. Jenny Singer, Glamour, 23 June 2022 Satire has always had an admonitory function, and besides, some people are so obnoxious that a writer has to slow-walk the reader through their awfulness. Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 11 May 2022 No one could be faulted for seeing the incident as a slap-back at the showbiz establishment’s most obnoxious figure. Armond White, National Review, 30 Mar. 2022 But as folks go back to the office, some find the sounds obnoxious — and annoying. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 5 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin obnoxius "under obligation, subservient, liable, exposed to, vulnerable" (of uncertain origin) + -ous
Note: Latin obnoxius has traditionally been taken to be a parasynthetic derivative from the phrase ob noxiam "due to wrongdoing, on account of bad behavior" (see noxious), but this explanation does not account for the primary senses of the word. Ernout and Meillet (Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue latine) take -noxius as a desiderative derivative from the base of nancīscī "to acquire" (see enough entry 1), parallel to anxius "worried"/angere "to strangle, distress" (see anxious), alsius "liable to injury from cold"/algēre "to be cold." The English sense "objectionable" is probably due to influence of noxious and its etymon, Latin noxius.
First Known Use
1597, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
obnoxious
adjective
ob·nox·ious äb-ˈnäk-shəs
əb-
: very disagreeable : hateful
Judd had heard the obnoxious whine of the motorcycle every day. Margo Sorenson, Firewatch
Margo Sorenson, Firewatchobnoxious
adjective
1
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the obnoxious disc jockey caused many listeners to call the station with complaints Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- disgusting
- ugly
- awful
- horrible
- hideous
- sickening
- obscene
- offensive
- shocking
- nasty
- unpleasant
- dreadful
- odious
- loathsome
- evil
- repulsive
- repugnant
- noxious
- distasteful
- appalling
- revolting
- abhorrent
- abominable
- gross
- horrid
- nauseating
- scandalous
- undesirable
- repellent
- terrible
- gruesome
- horrendous
- horrific
- noisome
- nauseous
- vile
- disturbing
- hateful
- foul
- fulsome
- unwanted
- disagreeable
- objectionable
- rancid
- repellant
- monstrous
- detestable
- miserable
- contemptible
- despicable
- horrifying
- dislikable
- heinous
- unwelcome
- unhealthy
- dislikeable
- grim
- unsavory
- exceptionable
- unwholesome
- atrocious
- sick
- uncivilized
- ghastly
- execrable
- sickly
- barbarous
- upsetting
- ungodly
- brackish
- lousy
- nightmarish
- lurid
- unspeakable
- off-putting
- frightful
- hard
- grisly
- unholy
- macabre
- sickish
- unchristian
- distressing
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- innocuous
- acceptable
- inoffensive
- attractive
- pleasant
- sweet
- desirable
- delightful
- agreeable
- alluring
- likable
- nice
- likeable
- delicious
- enjoyable
- appealing
- congenial
- satisfying
- dreamy
- welcome
- pleasurable
- gratifying
- pleasing
- darling
- heavenly
- luscious
- delectable
- palatable
- inviting
- dulcet
- felicitous
- savory
- unobjectionable
- blessed
- savoury
- unexceptionable
- blest
- wholesome
- healthy
- healthful
- salutary
- salubrious
- delightsome
- restorative
2
as in offensive
provoking or likely to provoke protest an obnoxious comment for which there should be an immediate apology Synonyms & Similar Words
- offensive
- unpleasant
- unacceptable
- disgusting
- objectionable
- undesirable
- unwanted
- terrible
- reprehensible
- exceptionable
- obscene
- vulgar
- bad
- censurable
- disagreeable
- loathsome
- unwelcome
- nasty
- distasteful
- infamous
- repulsive
- sickening
- repugnant
- vile
- suggestive
- foul
- revolting
- abhorrent
- miserable
- atrocious
- naughty
- displeasing
- pornographic
- profane
- execrable
- repellent
- perverted
- lousy
- indecent
- filthy
- gross
- unspeakable
- wicked
- unbecoming
- lewd
- wretched
- scurrilous
- indecorous
- coarse
- sickish
- lascivious
- off-colored
- bawdy
- unprintable
- smutty
- crude
- ribald
- dirty
- gross
- salty
- off-color
- repellant
- debasing
- off
- racy
- earthy
- blamable
- blameworthy
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- acceptable
- agreeable
- pleasant
- delightful
- inoffensive
- pretty
- unobjectionable
- easy
- nice
- good
- congenial
- enjoyable
- delicious
- good
- grateful
- dreamy
- satisfying
- pleasurable
- darling
- gratifying
- pleasing
- welcome
- delectable
- palatable
- felicitous
- blessed
- dulcet
- respectable
- decent
- endorsed
- approved
- correct
- proper
- blest
- becoming
- promoted
- sanctioned
- exemplary
- relishable
- seemly
- supported
- decorous
- pure
- perfect
- delightsome
- encouraged
- commendable
- creditable
- blameless
- immaculate
- spotless
- indorsed
- abetted
- politically correct
- spin fishing
- spin house
- spin in
- spin on one's heel
- spin one's wheels
- spin out of control
- spin the bottle
- spin the plate
- spin the platter
- spin tunnel
- spin wave
- spin yarns
- spin-doctor
- spin-dried
- spin-dries
- spin-dry
- spin-dryer
- spin-drying
- spin-off
- spin-offs
- spin-up
- spin/turn on one's heel
- spina bifida
- spina externa
- spina interna