adj. 1. Very annoying or objectionable; offensive or odious: "I know no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent execution" (Ulysses S. Grant). 2. Archaic Exposed or subject to harm, injury, or evil: "Those who are most obnoxious to punishment will flee from the country" (George Washington). 3. Archaic Deserving of or liable to censure. [Latin obnoxiōsus, subordinate, from obnoxius, subject, liable : ob-, to; see OB- + noxa, injury; see nek-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ob·noxious·ly adv. ob·noxious·ness n. |
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