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Repulsing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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repulsing

[rษชหˆpสŒl.sษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

physical reaction

Repulsing refers to the act of driving something away or causing a feeling of strong dislike or distaste. It can involve repelling enemies in a battle or creating an aversion to something offensive or unpleasant. This word is often used in contexts like biology, where organisms repel others for survival purposes. Additionally, it can describe emotional responses where certain actions or behaviors are met with strong resistance.

Synonyms

averting, disgusting, offensive, repelling.

Examples of usage

  • The army was successful in repulsing the invaders.
  • Her rude comments did nothing but repulse him.
  • The foul smell was repulsing the guests.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Research shows that feelings of disgust can protect against disease, influencing what we find repulsive.
  • Repulsing can invoke strong emotional reactions, much like fear, and can be linked to personal experiences.
  • Users of social media often feel repulsed by content that contradicts their values or beliefs, highlighting cultural differences.

Art

  • In literature, certain characters or themes are crafted to repulse readers, emphasizing moral or ethical lessons.
  • Visual artists sometimes create pieces intended to invoke repulsive feelings to provoke thought or discussion.
  • Repulsive elements in horror films often enhance the emotional impact, playing on our primal fears.

Social Dynamics

  • Cultural norms influence what is considered repulsiveโ€”food items that are delicacies in one culture may repulse another.
  • Socially unacceptable behaviors are often labeled as repulsing, shaping moral standards within communities.
  • Exploring what repulses us can lead to discussions on tolerance and acceptance of differing perspectives.

Pop Culture

  • Many famous horror films use repulsing imagery to engage viewers, capitalizing on shock value for entertainment.
  • The term is often used in music and literature to describe themes of rejection and disdain.
  • Reality shows sometimes amplify repulsive reactions among contestants to create drama and viewer engagement.

Origin of 'repulsing'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'repulsus,' meaning 'to drive back' or 'reject.'
  • The transformation into English involved changing the structure to fit the language's phonetics and style.
  • It has been used in the English language since the late 15th century, often relating to feelings of aversion.

The term 'repulse' comes from the Latin word 'repulsare,' which means 'to drive back' or 'to repel.' The root 'pulsus' is derived from 'pellere,' meaning 'to drive or push.' The transformation of this word into English occurred around the late Middle Ages, where it took on both physical and emotional connotations. Originally associated with physical force being applied, over time, it evolved to include any action or reaction that causes aversion or distaste. The evolution of the word reflects broader changes in societal attitudes towards confrontation and unwelcome feelings.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,327 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.