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Definitions

off-putting

[awf-poot-ing, of-] / ˈɔfˌpʊt ɪŋ, ˈɒf- /
ADJECTIVE
discouraging
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bleak depressing disappointing disheartening dismal dispiriting dreary gloomy
STRONG
black dampening daunting deterring dismaying dissuading hindering repressing
WEAK
depressive disadvantageous inopportune oppressive unfavorable unpropitious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bright cheerful encouraging happy light pleasant sunny
WEAK
auspicious favorable heartening inspiring inspiriting
ADJECTIVE
forbidding
Synonyms
STRONGEST
frightening grim menacing sinister threatening
STRONG
foreboding glowering hostile offensive repellent tough
WEAK
abhorrent disagreeable dour odious repulsive ugly unapproachable unfriendly unpleasant
Antonyms
STRONGEST
nice
STRONG
agreeable gentle kind
WEAK
approachable friendly undaunting
ADJECTIVE
repulsive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abhorrent creepy distasteful hateful hideous nasty objectionable odious revolting ugly unpleasant vile
WEAK
abominable animal disagreeable forbidding foul gross horrid loathsome nauseating noisome obnoxious pugnacious repellent sickening sleazy undesirable unsightly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agreeable attractive beautiful delightful friendly gentle good great kind nice pleasant pleasing safe wonderful
WEAK
enchanting inviting
ADJECTIVE
unhospitable
Synonyms
WEAK
abhorrent disagreeable dour foreboding frightening glowering grim hostile inhospitable menacing odious offensive repellent repulsive sinister threatening tough ugly unapproachable unfriendly uninviting unpleasant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And as off-putting as it may be, this rebellion from pleasant form is innately, delightfully feminine.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

Instead, he is as off-putting at the end of the picture as he was at the beginning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

"It's annoying, to be honest, like when we want to eat, I lose my appetite. The smell is just off-putting."

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

The corporatization of Vimeo was also off-putting because Vimeo’s whole image, from jump, was to be something different from the other video platforms popping up in the transition to Web 2.0.

From Slate • Jan. 23, 2026

There was still something off-putting about the attic, but if that’s where Clara was, then that’s where Ophie would go.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland