Obnoxius

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Highly unpleasant or offensive in behavior or attitude ; causing strong dislike or discomfort ; behaving in a way that provokes annoyance or resentment
2. Extremely disagreeable or distasteful in manner or character ; inspiring aversion or displeasure ; acting in a manner that is intentionally irritating or provocative
3. Characterized by offensive or objectionable traits ; eliciting negative reactions due to unpleasantness ; exhibiting conduct that is deliberately annoying or disrespectful

Etymology: Classical Latin writers used "obnoxius" to mean "liable" or "subject to," especially a person bound to a penalty or obligation. Someone obnoxius to a debt or to the law was legally exposed to it. The word combines "ob," meaning "against" or "in the way of," with "noxa," meaning "harm" or "injury," from the verb "nocere," "to harm." English inherited that sense of being answerable or open to something unpleasant. Over time the meaning turned around. A person who was exposed to punishment came to be someone who exposed others to annoyance, and eventually someone who was offensive or deliberately irritating. The passive idea of being vulnerable to harm became the active idea of causing it.

Synonyms: obnoxious, offensive, disagreeable, annoying, repugnant

Antonyms: pleasant, agreeable, delightful, nice, enjoyable