Obnoxious — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /äb-ˈnäk-shəs/ ob·nox·ious

Meaning & Definition of Obnoxious

Obnoxious (adjective)

  1. odiously or disgustingly objectionable, highly offensive
  2. exposed to something unpleasant or harmful —used with to
  3. deserving of censure

Obnoxious (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

    "the obnoxious disc jockey caused many listeners to call the station with complaints"

    similar: abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obscene, odious, offensive, rancid, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly
    related: exceptionable, objectionable, brackish, disagreeable, dislikable, unpleasant, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hard, hateful, unhealthy, unsavory, unwholesome, execrable, lousy, miserable, atrocious, frightful, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome, heinous, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish, sick, sickish, sickly, terrible, unspeakable, vile, off-putting, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome, barbarous, unchristian, uncivilized, ungodly, unholy, distressing, disturbing, upsetting
    opposite: innocuous, inoffensive
    near: acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory, sweet, welcome, unexceptionable, unobjectionable, healthful, healthy, restorative, salubrious, salutary, wholesome

  2. provoking or likely to provoke protest

    "an obnoxious comment for which there should be an immediate apology"

    similar: censurable, exceptionable, objectionable, offensive, reprehensible
    related: unacceptable, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome, disagreeable, displeasing, distasteful, unpleasant, bad, execrable, lousy, miserable, terrible, unspeakable, wretched, atrocious, infamous, abhorrent, disgusting, gross, loathsome, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, sickening, sickish, vile, naughty, wicked, debasing, perverted, profane, off, off-color, racy, salty, suggestive, indecent, indecorous, unbecoming, earthy, unprintable, bawdy, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul, lewd, nasty, obscene, smutty, vulgar, blamable, blameworthy, lascivious, pornographic, ribald, scurrilous
    opposite: inoffensive, unobjectionable
    near: acceptable, agreeable, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet, easy, enjoyable, felicitous, good, grateful, gratifying, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty, relishable, satisfying, welcome, approved, endorsed, sanctioned, abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported, becoming, correct, decent, decorous, exemplary, proper, respectable, seemly, blameless, commendable, creditable, immaculate, perfect, pure, spotless, politically correct

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Obnoxious

The most common words with a similar meaning to Obnoxious:

abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obscene, odious, offensive, rancid, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly, censurable, exceptionable, objectionable, reprehensible

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Obnoxious

Words with the opposite meaning of Obnoxious:

innocuous, inoffensive, unobjectionable

Related Words for Obnoxious

brackish, disagreeable, dislikable, unpleasant, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hard, hateful, unhealthy, unsavory, unwholesome, execrable, lousy, miserable, atrocious, frightful, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome, heinous, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish, sick, sickish

Near Antonyms of Obnoxious

acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory, sweet

Word Forms of Obnoxious

Derived words: obnoxiously (adverb), obnoxiousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Obnoxious

Latin obnoxius "under obligation, subservient, liable, exposed to, vulnerable" (of uncertain origin) + -ous

First known use: 1597

Frequently Asked Questions about Obnoxious

What does "Obnoxious" mean?

"Obnoxious" means odiously or disgustingly objectionable, highly offensive. As an adjective, it is defined as: odiously or disgustingly objectionable, highly offensive. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Obnoxious"?

Other words for "Obnoxious" include abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful and evil. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Obnoxious" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Obnoxious"?

There are 117 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Obnoxious". Common alternatives include abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul and fulsome.

What is the opposite of "Obnoxious"?

Antonyms of "Obnoxious" include innocuous, inoffensive and unobjectionable. Near antonyms include acceptable, agreeable, alluring and appealing.

How do you use "Obnoxious" in a sentence?

Examples of "Obnoxious" in a sentence: "the obnoxious disc jockey caused many listeners to call the station with complaints"; "an obnoxious comment for which there should be an immediate apology".

Is "Obnoxious" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Obnoxious" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Obnoxious"?

"Obnoxious" is pronounced /äb-ˈnäk-shəs/ and divided into syllables as ob·nox·ious.

What is the origin of the word "Obnoxious"?

"Obnoxious" comes from Latin obnoxius "under obligation, subservient, liable, exposed to, vulnerable" (of uncertain origin) + -ous. First known use: 1597.