What does repellently mean?
Repellently is an adverb meaning “in a manner that causes disgust or intense aversion.” It describes behaviour, appearances, smells, sounds, or other qualities that strike the listener as deeply unpleasant or morally offensive. The word is especially evocative when an outwardly attractive feature produces an uneasy effect: a smile may be described as repellently friendly, while an aroma may be repellently sweet. Its tone is formal and emphatic, often stronger and more deliberately unsettling than ordinary terms such as unpleasantly or offensively. Repellently is not usually used for mild dislike; it implies a powerful negative response. The word is also valuable for expressing moral criticism, particularly when describing conduct or attitudes that seem cold, deceptive, or offensive. Although its basic sense is firmly negative, its use with attractive or pleasant-sounding qualities can create striking irony and memorable descriptions.
adverbIn a manner that causes disgust, aversion, or intense dislike; in an off-putting or repulsive way.
- In a manner that causes disgust, aversion, or intense dislike.
"A faint, repellently sweet odor drifted through the kitchen."
"The decaying flowers filled the room with a repellently sweet scent."
"He dismissed the proposed scheme as repellently bureaucratic and needlessly hostile to visitors."
Repellently can make something sound almost beautiful while making the listener deeply uneasy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repellently come from?
“Repellently” was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix “-ly” to “repellent,” from the Latin repellentem, meaning “repelling.” “Repellent” derives from Latin repellere, composed of re- and pellere, both meaning “drive” or “drive back.” English borrowed the adjective in the early 17th century, and the adverb developed from it in the same period.
Related word forms
How repellently is actually used
This is a formal and strongly negative word. It is especially effective for describing an unpleasant quality or an experience that is off-putting to the senses, though it can also convey moral disapproval.
Easily confused with repellently
“Repulsive” describes a quality that provokes disgust, whereas “repellently” describes the manner in which such a quality is experienced.
“Repellent” is an adjective or noun, while “repellently” is the adverb meaning “in a repellent manner.”