repulsive / repellent
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repulsive
Causing a very strong negative reaction such as disgust or revulsion. It can refer to appearance, smell, behavior, or moral qualities.
Ich fand sein arrogantes Verhalten absolut abstoßend.
I found his arrogant behavior absolutely repulsive.
repellent
In physics, having the property of exerting a force that pushes another object away.
Gleiche magnetische Pole wirken abstoßend aufeinander.
Like magnetic poles have a repellent effect on each other.
'Abstoßend' (repulsive/repellent) is the present participle of the separable verb 'abstoßen' (to repel / to push away). The literal meaning 'to push something away from oneself' helps you understand both meanings: something repels you emotionally (disgust) or physically (force).
Sein Verhalten stößt mich ab.
His behavior repels me.
You can tell from the context whether the physical or emotional meaning is intended. If it is about feelings, morality, or aesthetics (smell, behavior), it means disgust. If it is about physics (magnets, charges), it refers to the repelling force.
Ich finde seine unhöfliche Art abstoßend.
I find his rude manner repulsive.
In the meaning 'disgusting', 'abstoßend' (repulsive) is often combined with words like 'Geruch' (smell), 'Anblick' (sight), or 'Verhalten' (behavior). It is often intensified by adverbs like 'absolut' (absolutely), 'völlig' (completely), or 'zutiefst' (deeply).
Im Keller war ein absolut abstoßender Geruch.
There was an absolutely repulsive smell in the basement.
To express a personal opinion, 'abstoßend' (repulsive) is often used with the verb 'finden' (to find). The structure is then: 'Ich finde etwas/jemanden abstoßend' (I find something/someone repulsive).
Viele Menschen finden die Gewalt in diesem Videospiel abstoßend.
Many people find the violence in this video game repulsive.
disgusting
Widerlich and abstoßend can both cause strong disgust. Widerlich tends to emphasize the immediate feeling of disgust, while abstoßend more strongly describes rejection and keeping away. Use widerlich for your own disgust and abstoßend when something clearly keeps people at a distance.
Das abstoßende Verhalten des Mannes führte dazu, dass alle Abstand hielten.
The man's repulsive behavior made everyone keep their distance.
Der verdorbene Geruch aus dem Mülleimer war widerlich.
The rotten smell coming from the trash can was disgusting.
