Rebarbative
Word of the Day
What is Rebarbative?
adjective
Unattractive and objectionable; repellent.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to enrich the palette for “ugly” beyond looks to tone and texture.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
A rebarbative interface made sign-ups plummet.
His rebarbative demeanor alienated allies.
Critics found the rebarbative prose needlessly dense.
Word Origins
French rébarbatif “forbidding,” from Latin barba “beard” (bristling)
Conveys prickliness more than mere ugliness.
First appearance in English: mid 19th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
-
Adjective:
A repellent tone drove readers away.
-
Adjective:
His abrasive style caused friction.
-
Adjective:
A forbidding façade loomed.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: áspero / repelente
- French: rébarbatif
- German: abstoßend / spröde
- Italian: ributtante / sgradevole
- Portuguese: repelente / áspero
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Repugnant
Stronger moral disgust; rebarbative is stylistic/social.
Abrasive
Rough in manner; rebarbative is broadly off-putting.
Uncouth
Socially crude; rebarbative may be aesthetic.
Fun Facts
- The beard root suggests bristle and abrasion.
- Often paired with “repellent” or “forbidding” in critiques.
Cultural Usage
- UX studies flag rebarbative onboarding flows.
- Some modernists embraced rebarbative styles.
Common Mistakes
Not “barbaric”; different root.
Micro Story
The policy’s rebarbative phrasing deterred applicants.