1. Causing disgust or aversion: This is the most common meaning. Something repulsive is something that makes you feel sick, disgusted, or turned off. It can refer to:
* Physical things: Smells, sights, textures, etc. (e.g., "The rotting garbage was repulsive.")
* Behaviors: Actions, attitudes, etc. (e.g., "His cruelty towards animals was repulsive.")
* Ideas: Concepts, beliefs, etc. (e.g., "The politician's hateful rhetoric was repulsive.")
2. Pushing things away or repelling: This meaning is more scientific and relates to forces. Something repulsive creates a force that pushes other things away. For example:
* Magnets: Like poles of magnets are repulsive.
* Electric charges: Two charges with the same sign (both positive or both negative) are repulsive.
In a sentence, "repulsive" can be used like this:
* "The smell of the spoiled milk was repulsive." (Meaning 1)
* "The north poles of two magnets are repulsive to each other." (Meaning 2)
It's important to consider the context to understand the specific meaning of "repulsive" in a given situation.