Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a repellent manner: In a way that causes strong dislike, aversion, or disgust. It describes an action or quality that is extremely off-putting or repulsive.

Usage and Examples

• Adverb:
  • The substance smelled repellently of rotten eggs. (The substance had a smell that was extremely disgusting, like rotten eggs.)
  • He was repellently arrogant, dismissing everyone's opinions. (His arrogance was so strong it pushed people away.)
  • The villain in the story was repellently cruel. (The villain's cruelty was portrayed in a manner that inspired disgust.)

Advanced Usage

• Intensifying a Negative Quality: Used to emphasize the extreme and off-putting nature of a characteristic.
  • The propaganda was repellently simplistic. (The propaganda was simplistic to a degree that was offensive and repulsive.)
• Descriptive Literary Use: Often found in descriptive writing to create a vivid, negative impression.
  • The swamp water gleamed repellently under the moonlight. (The swamp water had a disgusting, repulsive shine.)

Variants and Related Words

• Repellent (adjective): Causing disgust or aversion.
  • The idea was morally repellent to her.
• Repel (verb): To drive or force back; to cause aversion.
  • The citronella candle helps repel mosquitoes.
• Repellence/Repellency (noun): The quality of being repellent.
  • The repellency of the coating prevents water absorption.

Synonyms

• Repulsively: In a manner that causes intense disgust.
• Disgustingly: In a revolting or sickening way.
• Off-puttingly: In a manner that causes disinterest or aversion.
• Revoltingly: In an extremely offensive or shocking way.

Antonyms

• Attractively: In a pleasing or appealing manner.
• Appealingly: In a way that attracts interest or liking.
• Delightfully: In a charming and enjoyable way.

Notes on Usage

• Formality: "Repellently" is a formal adverb, more common in written English (e.g., literature, criticism, formal description) than in everyday conversation.
• Collocation: It frequently modifies adjectives describing negative traits (e.g., ) or verbs related to appearance or sensation (e.g., ).
• The example "repellently fat" is a specific, potentially offensive usage where the adverb intensifies the adjective "fat" to imply the fatness is viewed as grotesque or repulsive. This illustrates how the word can subjectively frame a physical characteristic as morally or aesthetically disgusting.

Adverb

1. in a repellent manner
   • repellently fat