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Repulsion Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿคข
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repulsion

[rษชหˆpสŒlสƒษ™n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

feeling

A strong feeling of disgust or aversion.

Synonyms

abhorrence, aversion, disgust, revulsion.

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Word Description / Examples
repulsion

Typically used in scientific contexts to describe a force that pushes objects away. In everyday language, it can describe a strong feeling of being pushed away by something unpleasant.

  • The repulsion between the magnets was strong.
  • She felt a deep repulsion at the sight of the spoiled food.
disgust

Refers to a strong feeling of dislike or nausea caused by something offensive. It is commonly used in everyday language.

  • The smell of the garbage filled him with disgust.
  • She couldn't hide her disgust at the inappropriate joke.
aversion

Describes a strong dislike or unwillingness to do something. It does not necessarily carry as intense a negative connotation as others on the list.

  • She has a strong aversion to spiders.
  • He always had an aversion to long meetings.
revulsion

Describes a sudden and intense feeling of disgust or loathing. It often implies a physical reaction.

  • She felt a sense of revulsion when she saw the moldy food.
  • The news of the scandal was met with widespread revulsion.
abhorrence

Used to express a very strong feeling of hatred or loathing for something, often on moral grounds. It has a formal tone.

  • He spoke of his abhorrence of violence.
  • The society maintained a sense of abhorrence towards corruption.

Examples of usage

  • The thought of eating snails filled her with repulsion.
  • His repulsion towards violence made him a pacifist.
  • She couldn't hide her repulsion at the sight of blood.
Context #2 | Noun

physics

The force that acts between bodies of like electric charge or magnetic polarity, tending to separate them.

Synonyms

repellence, repellency.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
repulsion

Repulsion is often used to describe a strong feeling of disgust or aversion towards something, whether physical or emotional. It can also be used in scientific contexts, such as physics, to describe a force pushing objects away from each other.

  • She felt an immediate repulsion when she saw the rotten food.
  • In physics, magnetic repulsion occurs when the north poles of two magnets are brought close to each other.
repellence

Repellence is used mostly to describe the quality of being able to drive something away. It is often used in material science, like describing a fabricโ€™s resistance to water.

  • The repellence of this fabric makes it ideal for outdoor use.
  • This spray creates a skin repellence to mosquitoes.
repellency

Repellency is nearly synonymous with repellence and is often used in similar contexts. It emphasizes the ability of a surface or material to repel liquids or other substances.

  • The repellency of the coat kept him dry during the rainstorm.
  • This coating improves the repellency of your shoes against dirt and water.

Examples of usage

  • The repulsion between the two magnets caused them to push apart.
  • Electrons experience repulsion due to their negative charge.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Repulsion can be an emotional response to something that feels threatening or socially unacceptable.
  • Studies show that things that are perceived as dirty or harmful evoke stronger feelings of repulsion.
  • In social settings, the presence of a person with unappealing traits can lead to greater feelings of social repulsion.

Physics

  • In physics, unlike charges in electricity attract while like charges repel each other.
  • Magnetic forces also exhibit repulsion; like poles of a magnet push away from each other.
  • The concept of repulsion is crucial in understanding electron behavior in atoms, shaping how matter interacts.

Literature

  • In literature, characters often experience repulsion as a turning point, shaping their actions and moral dilemmas.
  • The theme of repulsion frequently appears in gothic fiction, where characters are repelled by the supernatural.
  • Virginia Woolf explored human emotions deeply, often illustrating feelings of repulsion in her complex characters.

Evolution

  • Repulsion can be a survival mechanism, helping organisms avoid harmful food sources or predators.
  • Research in evolutionary biology indicates that humans may have developed repulsion reactions to minimize risks of illness.
  • This instinct is reflected in aversive reactions to bodily fluids or decay, which often elicit strong feelings of repulsion.

Art

  • Artists sometimes use the concept of repulsion to evoke strong emotional responses or critique societal norms.
  • In contemporary art, works that induce feelings of discomfort or repulsion challenge viewers to confront their beliefs.
  • Repulsion can be depicted visually, such as grotesque imagery that stirs uncomfortable emotions.

Origin of 'repulsion'

The word 'repulsion' originated from the Latin word 'repulsio', which means a driving back or repelling. The concept of repulsion has been studied in various fields such as psychology, physics, and social interactions. In psychology, repulsion is often associated with strong negative emotions like disgust or aversion, while in physics, it refers to the force that causes objects to push away from each other. Understanding the dynamics of repulsion is essential in many scientific and social contexts.

See also: repulse, repulsive, repulsively, repulsiveness.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,881, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.