repulsive

Everyday

1. Very unpleasant, making you feel sick or disgusted. tree →
2. (science) Pushing away, as with the force between two like magnetic poles; this sense is rare in school, where «repel» is used. tree →

In the lessons

In stories it describes horrible monsters, smells or behaviour. In everyday life children use it for food or slime they hate. Calling a person repulsive is hurtful. In science «repulsive force» is a push between magnets. Phrases: «a repulsive smell», «utterly repulsive».

Examples

• The bin smelt repulsive after a week in the sun. tree →
• The witch had a repulsive laugh. tree →
• Bullying is repulsive behaviour. tree →
• I find cold rice pudding repulsive. tree →
• Like poles of magnets feel a repulsive force. tree →
• The troll's cave was full of repulsive slime. tree →
• Seeing herself thus transformed into so repulsive an object, Medusa fled from her home, never to return. tree →

Note

Strong word; «disgusting» is similar. Verb: «repel»; noun: «repulsion». Avoid using it about people's looks — it is unkind.