Repulsiveness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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repulsiveness

[rɪˈpʌlsɪvnəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

feelings

The quality of being extremely unpleasant and causing strong feelings of disgust or aversion. It is often associated with something offensive or repugnant.

Synonyms

disgust, offensiveness, repugnance.

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Word Description / Examples
repulsiveness

Used to describe something that causes a strong feeling of dislike or disgust.

  • The repulsiveness of the scene made everyone turn away.
  • He couldn't ignore the repulsiveness of the spoiled food.
disgust

Refers to a strong feeling of dislike or disapproval caused by unpleasant or offensive situations.

  • She felt a wave of disgust when she saw the dirty room.
  • The politician's comments were met with widespread disgust.
repugnance

Expresses a strong sense of loathing or aversion, often with a physical reaction.

  • She felt repugnance at the thought of touching the slimy creature.
  • His lies filled her with repugnance.
offensiveness

Describes something that is likely to upset or insult people.

  • The offensiveness of his jokes made everyone uncomfortable.
  • Her comments were criticized for their offensiveness.

Examples of usage

  • Her repulsiveness was evident from the way people avoided her.
  • The repulsiveness of his behavior made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
  • The repulsiveness of the crime left a lasting impact on the community.
Context #2 | Noun

physical appearance

The quality of being unattractive or revolting in appearance. It refers to a strong feeling of dislike or aversion towards someone's looks.

Synonyms

revulsion, ugliness, unattractiveness.

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Word Description / Examples
repulsiveness

This word is typically used to describe something that causes a strong feeling of disgust and aversion. It often has a strong, negative emotional impact.

  • The repulsiveness of the smell made it hard to stay in the room.
  • She couldn't hide her repulsiveness towards the grotesque scene.
ugliness

This word is used more to describe physical appearance, but it can also refer to something that is morally or socially unpleasant.

  • Despite his ugliness, he had a kind heart.
  • The ugliness of the situation became apparent when all the details were revealed.
unattractiveness

Unattractiveness is a milder term compared to ugliness and generally refers to something lacking in appeal or beauty. It's less harsh and emotionally charged.

  • The unattractiveness of the building made it less appealing to potential buyers.
  • Her unattractiveness did not diminish her charm and intelligence.
revulsion

Revulsion is often used to describe a sudden, intense feeling of disgust or shock. It can be used in both emotional and physical contexts.

  • He felt a wave of revulsion when he saw the maggots in the food.
  • The news of the crime filled her with revulsion.

Examples of usage

  • Despite her intelligence, her repulsiveness hindered her social interactions.
  • The repulsiveness of his features made it difficult for him to make friends.
  • His repulsiveness was a barrier to forming meaningful relationships.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Studies show that visual stimuli deemed repulsive can trigger a strong emotional response, such as disgust or aversion.
  • Repulsiveness can be a protective mechanism; it helps humans avoid harmful substances.
  • Interestingly, what is considered repulsive can vary greatly across cultures due to learned behaviors and societal norms.

Art

  • Artists often explore repulsiveness through mediums like performance art to challenge societal norms and provoke thought.
  • The concept of beauty often embraces repulsiveness; many art movements highlight the ugly to evoke a deeper emotional response.
  • In literature, repulsiveness can be a powerful tool to depict character flaws or societal critiques, making stories more engaging.

Pop Culture

  • Movies and television often use repulsiveness to create suspense, especially in horror genres where the fear of the unknown is key.
  • Reality shows sometimes depict repulsive behaviors as entertainment, showing viewers what to avoid in social situations.
  • The popularity of 'gross-out' comedy films indicates a fascination with repulsiveness as a source of humor.

Biology

  • Certain animals have evolved repulsiveness as a survival tactic, like skunks, which use odor to deter predators.
  • Insects, such as the carrion fly, are attracted to decay, embodying a form of repulsiveness that serves ecological purposes.
  • Some plants emit foul odors to attract pollinators that thrive on decaying organic matter, illustrating a unique interaction in nature.

Origin of 'repulsiveness'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'repulsus', meaning 'driven back', which hints at its meaning of causing rejection.
  • Its roots can be traced to 'repel', which combines 're-' (back) and 'pellere' (to drive), emphasizing the act of pushing away.
  • The transition from Latin to Middle English saw shifts in meaning, where 'repulsiveness' began to embody a stronger sense of disgust.

The word 'repulsiveness' originates from the verb 'repulse', which comes from the Latin word 'repulsus', meaning 'driven back'. The concept of repulsiveness has been prevalent in human societies for centuries, often associated with notions of beauty and ugliness. Throughout history, repulsiveness has been a subjective quality influenced by cultural, social, and personal perceptions.


See also: repulse, repulsion, repulsive, repulsively.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,275, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.