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rebarbative

adjective
re·​bar·​ba·​tive | \ ri-ˈbär-bÉ™-tiv How to pronounce rebarbative (audio) \

Definition of rebarbative

: repellent, irritating
Other Words from rebarbative Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about rebarbative

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Other Words from rebarbative

rebarbatively adverb

Did You Know?

You may be surprised to learn that rebarbative traces back to the Latin word for "beard" - barba - making it a very distant relative of the English word beard. But there is some sense to the connection. After all, beards may not be repellent, but they can be prickly and scratchy! Another descendant of Latin barba is the English word barb, which can refer to a sharp projection (as found on barbed wire) or a biting critical remark, both of which can discourage others from getting too close.

Examples of rebarbative in a Sentence

there are aspects of that writer's personality that any reasonable person would regard as rebarbative, but we're just reading his novels—not marrying him

First Known Use of rebarbative

1892, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for rebarbative

French rébarbatif, from Middle French, from rebarber to be repellent, from re- + barbe beard, from Latin barba — more at beard

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More from Merriam-Webster on rebarbative

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rebarbative

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