repulsiv

Repulsiv is an adjective used mainly in German to describe something that provokes repulsion or a strong sense of avoidance. It can apply to tangible properties—such as an unpleasant texture, odor, or appearance—as well as to abstract ideas, aesthetics, or moral judgments. In everyday language, something repulsiv is perceived as markedly off-putting or disagreeable.

In scientific or technical German, repulsiv may be used to characterize processes or interactions that push objects apart, aligning with the general notion of repulsion. For precise physical descriptions, however, terms like abstoßend or abstoßende Kraft are more common, and repulsiv is less frequent in formal technical writing.

The word is formed from the noun Repulsion and the adjectival suffix -iv, following a common pattern in German for creating descriptive terms. It is primarily found in German-language texts, but it can appear in English-language discussions when German terms are quoted or analyzed.

See also: Repulsion, Repulsive, Abstoßung.