early 15c., "able to repel," from Middle French repulsif (14c.) and directly from Medieval Latin repulsivus, from repuls-, past participle stem of repellere (see repel). The sense of "causing disgust" is first recorded 1816. Related: Repulsively; repulsiveness.
a repulsive force
the most repulsive character in recent novels
repulsive behavior
a repulsive mask
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repugnance
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repurchase
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reputation
repute