repellent
1 of 2adjective
re·pel·lent ri-ˈpe-lənt 
variants or less commonly repellant
1
: serving or tending to drive away or ward off —often used in combination
a mosquito-repellent spray
2
: arousing aversion or disgust : repulsive
repellently adverb
repellent
2 of 2noun
variants or less commonly repellant
: something that repels
especially : a substance that repels insects
Synonyms
Adjective
- abhorrent
- abominable
- appalling
- awful
- disgusting
- distasteful
- dreadful
- evil
- foul
- fulsome
- gross
- hideous
- horrendous
- horrible
- horrid
- loathsome
- nasty
- nauseating
- nauseous
- noisome
- noxious
- obnoxious
- obscene
- odious
- offensive
- rancid
- repugnant
- repulsive
- revolting
- scandalous
- shocking
- sickening
- ugly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective The candle has a repellent effect on insects. your snobbish behavior towards my friends is so repellent I can't stand to be around you anymore Noun a can of insect repellent Coat the exterior with a water repellent.
Recent Examples on the Web
Julie Washington, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2022 Picnic blankets often have soft fabric on top (such as polyester fleece) and some sort of moisture-repellent backing, like nylon or vinyl. Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2022 State health officials urge parents not to use insect repellent on children younger than 2 months old. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 17 Aug. 2022 Use a repellent and apply it anywhere ticks can grab. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 10 Aug. 2022 For sensible and effective pest control, plant a wide range of plants and use repellent rather than lethal organic pest-control products. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 5 July 2021 Also wear insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 2 June 2021 The water-repellent fabric is also thick enough to prevent rips, tears, and snags during use, and the elastic hem cord ensures a tight, secure fit all the way around. Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 30 July 2022 The indispensable shirt that Kelly Ripa can’t stop raving about (and wearing on-air) is ideal for travel thanks to its magical stain-repellent, machine washable silk-blend fabric. Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2021 Emma Balter, Chron, 17 Aug. 2022 The video goes on to describe the antics the twins came up with, which included putting rocks in Meredith’s backpack and mixing sugar water with her mosquito repellent. Wilson Wong, NBC News, 4 Aug. 2022 Together, this power duo emits a scent-free repellent to create a 15-foot protection zone from those pesky bugs. Kelsey Mulvey, Good Housekeeping, 7 July 2022 The military’s sudden shift is functioning as a repellent here, too. Jimmy Byrn, WSJ, 29 July 2022 Fertilome has a product called MosquitoGo that works very well as a natural repellent. Chris Mckeown, The Enquirer, 16 July 2022 Use a chemical repellent with DEET, permethrin or picaridin. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 13 June 2022 Past health problems caused by the insect repellent were mostly due to overapplication and ingestion. The Editors, Outside Online, 22 June 2020 One item that can and should go in the dryer is anything with a durable-water repellent (DWR) finish. Joe Lindsey, Outside Online, 17 July 2021 See More
Adjective
Ways to prevent mosquito bites and stop breeding - Use insect repellent containing picaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil. Julie Washington, cleveland, 2 Sep. 2022 Picnic blankets often have soft fabric on top (such as polyester fleece) and some sort of moisture-repellent backing, like nylon or vinyl. Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2022 State health officials urge parents not to use insect repellent on children younger than 2 months old. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 17 Aug. 2022 Use a repellent and apply it anywhere ticks can grab. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 10 Aug. 2022 For sensible and effective pest control, plant a wide range of plants and use repellent rather than lethal organic pest-control products. Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 5 July 2021 Also wear insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 2 June 2021 The water-repellent fabric is also thick enough to prevent rips, tears, and snags during use, and the elastic hem cord ensures a tight, secure fit all the way around. Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 30 July 2022 The indispensable shirt that Kelly Ripa can’t stop raving about (and wearing on-air) is ideal for travel thanks to its magical stain-repellent, machine washable silk-blend fabric. Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2021 Noun
Post throws several events a week, such as a recent silent disco, yoga on the Skylawn or the now-infamous insect repellent drone show. Emma Balter, Chron, 17 Aug. 2022 The video goes on to describe the antics the twins came up with, which included putting rocks in Meredith’s backpack and mixing sugar water with her mosquito repellent. Wilson Wong, NBC News, 4 Aug. 2022 Together, this power duo emits a scent-free repellent to create a 15-foot protection zone from those pesky bugs. Kelsey Mulvey, Good Housekeeping, 7 July 2022 The military’s sudden shift is functioning as a repellent here, too. Jimmy Byrn, WSJ, 29 July 2022 Fertilome has a product called MosquitoGo that works very well as a natural repellent. Chris Mckeown, The Enquirer, 16 July 2022 Use a chemical repellent with DEET, permethrin or picaridin. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE.com, 13 June 2022 Past health problems caused by the insect repellent were mostly due to overapplication and ingestion. The Editors, Outside Online, 22 June 2020 One item that can and should go in the dryer is anything with a durable-water repellent (DWR) finish. Joe Lindsey, Outside Online, 17 July 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
borrowed from Latin repellent-, repellens, present participle of repellere "to push away, drive back, fend off" — more at repel
Noun
derivative of repellent entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1583, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing repellent
Kids Definition
repellent
noun
re·pel·lent ri-ˈpe-lənt
: a substance used to keep off pests (as insects)
Medical Definition
repellent 1 of 2
adjective
re·pel·lent
variants also repellant
ri-ˈpel-ənt
: serving or tending to drive away or ward off —often used in combination
a mosquito-repellent spray
repellent
2 of 2noun
variants also repellant
: something that repels
especially : a substance used to prevent insect attacks
Legal Definition
repellent
noun
re·pel·lent
ri-ˈpe-lənt
: a method used to avoid or discourage a hostile corporate takeover
repellent
adjective
variants also repellant
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment your snobbish behavior towards my friends is so repellent I can't stand to be around you anymore Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- disgusting
- obnoxious
- ugly
- awful
- horrible
- sickening
- offensive
- hideous
- repulsive
- nasty
- gross
- loathsome
- unpleasant
- revolting
- repugnant
- noxious
- odious
- evil
- abhorrent
- appalling
- distasteful
- nauseating
- dreadful
- shocking
- abominable
- horrid
- obscene
- scandalous
- horrific
- terrible
- rancid
- horrendous
- nauseous
- noisome
- vile
- disturbing
- foul
- fulsome
- detestable
- objectionable
- disagreeable
- contemptible
- hateful
- undesirable
- despicable
- miserable
- gruesome
- brackish
- dislikeable
- unwelcome
- dislikable
- horrifying
- heinous
- exceptionable
- unsavory
- unwanted
- unwholesome
- execrable
- ghastly
- monstrous
- atrocious
- lurid
- unspeakable
- grisly
- macabre
- unhealthy
- nightmarish
- frightful
- uncivilized
- sick
- barbarous
- lousy
- unholy
- sickly
- grim
- off-putting
- hard
- upsetting
- ungodly
- distressing
- sickish
- unchristian
- grewsome
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- attractive
- innocuous
- acceptable
- inoffensive
- desirable
- pleasant
- appealing
- alluring
- delightful
- enjoyable
- agreeable
- delicious
- likeable
- likable
- pleasurable
- sweet
- palatable
- satisfying
- welcome
- congenial
- gratifying
- nice
- pleasing
- dreamy
- delectable
- heavenly
- felicitous
- inviting
- savory
- luscious
- savoury
- darling
- unobjectionable
- blessed
- unexceptionable
- dulcet
- blest
- wholesome
- salutary
- healthful
- healthy
- salubrious
- restorative
- delightsome