Revulsion Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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revulsion

[rɪˈvʌl.ʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

A strong feeling of disgust or aversion. It is a natural reaction to something extremely unpleasant or offensive.

Synonyms

abhorrence, disgust, repugnance, repulsion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
revulsion	Typically used to describe a sudden and strong feeling of disgust or dislike, often in reaction to something shocking or horrifying. She felt a wave of revulsion when she saw the bloody scene. His actions caused revulsion among his colleagues.
disgust	A strong feeling of dislike or upset, usually in response to something unpleasant or offensive. The smell of rotten food filled him with disgust. She couldn't hide her disgust at the sight of the dirty bathroom.
repugnance	Usually describes a strong aversion or intense dislike, often due to an emotional or moral reaction. He felt a sense of repugnance when he learned about the crime. There was a visible repugnance in her voice when she talked about the injustice.
abhorrence	Used to describe an intense feeling of hatred or disgust towards something morally wrong or unacceptable. He expressed his abhorrence of racism. Her abhorrence of cruelty to animals was well known.
repulsion	Describes a feeling of strong distaste or aversion, often with a physical or visceral reaction. The sight of the spider filled her with repulsion. His behavior provoked a feeling of repulsion among the guests.

Examples of usage

The sight of blood caused a feeling of revulsion in the nurse.
She felt a sense of revulsion at the thought of eating insects.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

reaction

An intense and often physical feeling of disgust or repugnance towards something. It can manifest as a strong desire to avoid or reject the source of discomfort.

Synonyms

abhorrence, aversion, disgust, repugnance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
revulsion	Used to describe a powerful feeling of disgust or repulsion, especially in reaction to something shocking or repellent. She felt a sudden revulsion when she saw the graphic images. His revulsion was clear when he learned about the crime.
disgust	Describes a strong feeling of dislike or repulsion, often to something that is physically unpleasant or morally offensive. The smell of the garbage filled him with disgust. She expressed her disgust at the unfair treatment.
abhorrence	Indicates a strong feeling of hate or repulsion, often towards something considered morally wrong. Her abhorrence for cruelty to animals is well-known. They spoke of their abhorrence of the corrupt practices.
repugnance	Conveys a deep-seated feeling of dislike or opposition, often towards something that contradicts one's values or tastes. He felt a sense of repugnance at the sight of the decay. The idea of lying filled her with repugnance.
aversion	Refers to a strong dislike or unwillingness towards something or someone. He has a strong aversion to spiders. She can't hide her aversion to loud noises.

Examples of usage

The revulsion he felt towards the idea of injustice fueled his activism.
The revulsion she experienced towards the smell made her leave the room immediately.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Psychologically, revulsion can serve as a protective mechanism, alerting individuals to avoid harmful substances.
Research suggests that revulsion is often linked to our senses, particularly smell, which can trigger strong emotional responses.

Cultural References

In literature, revulsion is commonly illustrated in horror stories, where characters react strongly to grotesque events.
Films often use revulsion to evoke sympathy or fear, showcasing characters' reactions to gruesome scenes or shocking revelations.

Health

Certain smells, like spoiled food, can cause immediate feelings of revulsion, acting as a natural defense against contamination.
Revulsion can also be a symptom of specific phobias, where even the thought of an object can trigger a strong reaction.

Social Dynamics

Socially, revulsion can influence group behavior, leading people to ostracize those who engage in certain practices considered disgusting.
Cultural norms greatly affect what is considered revulsive; what repulses one group may be acceptable in another.

Origin of 'revulsion'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'revulsio', meaning 'to pull back' or 'to draw away,' reflecting a response to something unpleasant.
Revulsion first appeared in English around the late 14th century, capturing the idea of strong emotional reactions.

The word 'revulsion' originates from the Latin verb 'revulsus', which means 'to tear away'. It first appeared in English in the 17th century, primarily used in a medical sense to describe a pulling or tearing away of a part of the body. Over time, its meaning evolved to convey a strong sense of disgust or repulsion towards something. The concept of revulsion has been explored in various fields, including psychology and literature, to understand human reactions to aversive stimuli.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,032, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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19029 casings
19030 maxilla
19031 unregistered
19032 revulsion
19033 clarinet
19034 disarmed
19035 scoundrel
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