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
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
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2026
All of this is repellent to today’s Republican base, and anyone who has observed the past decade of American politics might have assumed that Rubio’s future political aspirations were DOA.
—Sarah Longwell, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Mix the repellents with water and spray them directly onto ants or around nests.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for repellent
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show current usage.
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Adjective
However, because onions and leeks are naturally repellent to most pests, they can usually be grown together without any issues.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 May 2026
All of this is repellent to today’s Republican base, and anyone who has observed the past decade of American politics might have assumed that Rubio’s future political aspirations were DOA.
—Sarah Longwell, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
Dress in long sleeves and pants — Wear loose-fitting long sleeves and pants and spray repellent on your clothes for extra protection.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Mix the repellents with water and spray them directly onto ants or around nests.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for repellent
Cite this Entry
“Repellent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repellent. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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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