Disgust: meaning, definitions and examples

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disgust

[dɪˈskʌst ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

A strong feeling of dislike or disapproval aroused by something unpleasant or offensive.

Synonyms

abhorrence, aversion, repugnance, revulsion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disgust	Disgust is used when someone feels a strong sense of dislike or distaste, often towards something physically unpleasant or morally offensive. She felt disgust when she saw the dirty kitchen His actions filled her with disgust
revulsion	Revulsion is a strong feeling of disgust or loathing, often to something shocking or offensive. He felt a sense of revulsion when he saw the violence Her revulsion was evident when she tasted the spoiled food
repugnance	Repugnance is a strong feeling of disgust or dislike, often to something that is offensive or distasteful. It has a somewhat formal tone. The thought of lying filled him with repugnance She couldn't hide her repugnance at the smell
aversion	Aversion indicates a strong dislike or unwillingness to do something or be near someone or something. He has an aversion to spiders She felt an aversion towards loud music
abhorrence	Abhorrence is a strong feeling of hatred or disgust, usually towards something morally wrong or deeply offensive. He spoke with abhorrence about the corruption in the government The idea of animal cruelty filled her with abhorrence

Examples of usage

He wrinkled his nose in disgust.
She couldn't hide her disgust at the sight of the cockroach.
I could see the disgust in his eyes.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

action

To cause someone to feel intense aversion or repugnance.

Synonyms

nauseate, repel, revolt, sicken.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
disgust	Use when someone or something causes a strong feeling of dislike or disapproval. The sight of the dirty kitchen disgusted her His rude comments disgust me
repel	Use when describing a strong feeling of pushing away or being pushed away, often used in a physical or emotional context. The sight of the insect repelled her His arrogance repels his colleagues
sicken	Use when something makes someone feel ill or deeply upset, often in a broader or more emotional sense than just physical nausea. The thought of the crime sickened her The injustice of the situation sickens me
nauseate	Use when referring to physically feeling like you want to vomit. The smell of the spoiled milk was enough to nauseate anyone The spinning ride at the amusement park nauseates me
revolt	Use when referring to a strong reaction of shock or horror that often leads to rejection or protest, typically more intense and with a sense of moral outrage. The cruel treatment of animals revolted many people The scandalous behavior of the politician revolted his supporters

Examples of usage

The smell of rotten eggs disgusts me.
The graphic images on the news disgusted the viewers.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'disgust' comes from the Latin word 'disgustare', which means 'to loathe or dislike'.
It was first used in the English language in the late 14th century, originally referring to strong aversion or repulsion.
The prefix 'dis-' means 'apart' or 'away', indicating the feeling that something is so bad it needs to be distanced from.

Psychology

Disgust is one of the basic human emotions that helps us avoid harmful substances and protect our health.
Research shows that disgust can be triggered by things like smells, sights, or even ideas that we find offensive.
Humans often express disgust through facial expressions, like wrinkling the nose or making a grimace, signaling rejection.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, certain foods are considered disgusting, while others are delicacies, showing how cultural perspectives shape our feelings.
Disgust plays a significant role in social interactions, influencing judgments about people and their behaviors.
Art and literature often explore themes of disgust to challenge norms and provoke thought about societal taboos.

Biology

The emotion of disgust is connected to the brain's limbic system, which manages emotions and instinctive behavior.
Certain stimuli, like spoiled food, trigger disgust to motivate avoidance, which was crucial for human survival in the past.
The autonomic response to disgust includes reactions like nausea, which helps prevent the ingestion of harmful substances.

Pop Culture

Disgust is often used in comedic contexts, with characters making exaggerated faces or reactions to emphasize their aversion.
Films and books commonly depict disgust to heighten dramatic effects, making characters relatable or emphasizing moral lessons.
TV shows and movies frequently use the emotion to create tension, showing how characters react to unpleasant situations.

Translations

Translations of the word "disgust" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desgosto

🇮🇳 घृणा

🇩🇪 Ekel

🇮🇩 jijik

🇺🇦 огида

🇵🇱 wstręt

🇯🇵 嫌悪 (けんお)

🇫🇷 dégoût

🇪🇸 asco

🇹🇷 iğrenme

🇰🇷 혐오 (hyeomo)

🇸🇦 اشمئزاز

🇨🇿 hnus

🇸🇰 zhnusenie

🇨🇳 厌恶 (yànwù)

🇸🇮 gnus

🇮🇸 viðbjóður

🇰🇿 жиіркеніш

🇬🇪 ზიზღი

🇦🇿 iyrənclik

🇲🇽 asco

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,001 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
8998 portal
8999 hood
9000 concave
9001 disgust
9002 inherently
9003 grammatical
9004 stringent
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