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
variants
or less commonly repellant
: something that repels
especially
: a substance that repels insects
Synonyms
Adjective
Examples of repellent in a Sentence
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
Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2025
This was a nihilism whose style was charming instead of intense, therefore hard to detect, but ultimately repellent, except to people who go for that sort of thing, which turns out to be a lot of people.
—Paul Berman, airmail.news, 9 Nov. 2024
Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2025
The best option is to use organic repellents and attract beneficial insects that naturally manage pests.
—Ivan Terzi, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for repellent 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adjective
Landslides are a risk after wildfires because the heat of the fire makes the soil repellent to water.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2025
This was a nihilism whose style was charming instead of intense, therefore hard to detect, but ultimately repellent, except to people who go for that sort of thing, which turns out to be a lot of people.
—Paul Berman, airmail.news, 9 Nov. 2024
Noun
The 6 Best Mouse Traps Use Natural Repellents Use natural repellents like essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus, cinnamon, or cedarwood to repel mice.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2025
The best option is to use organic repellents and attract beneficial insects that naturally manage pests.
—Ivan Terzi, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for repellent
Dictionary Entries Near repellent
Cite this Entry
“Repellent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repellent. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
repellent
1 of 2 adjective
re·pel·lent
variants
also repellant
1
: serving or tending to drive away
—often used in combination
a water-repellent jacket
2
: causing disgust
repellently
adverb
repellent
2 of 2 noun
variants
also repellant
: something that repels
especially
: a substance used to keep off pests (as insects)
Medical Definition
repellent
1 of 2 adjective
re·pel·lent
variants
also repellant
: serving or tending to drive away or ward off
—often used in combination
a mosquito-repellent spray
repellent
2 of 2 noun
variants
also repellant
: something that repels
especially
: a substance used to prevent insect attacks
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