Sickening: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Old English 'sēoc', meaning unwell or ill.
• 'Sickening' first appeared in English texts around the 15th century, evolving from the adjective 'sick'.
• In modern usage, it can describe both physical illness and intense feelings of disgust.

Psychology

• The emotion of disgust, often linked to 'sickening', is believed to help humans avoid harmful substances.
• Experiencing something sickening can trigger physical responses, such as nausea, as the brain processes danger.
• Cultural differences affect what people find sickening, showing how subjective feelings can be.

Literature

• Many authors use 'sickening' to evoke strong emotional responses from characters or readers, especially in horror genres.
• In Shakespeare’s works, characters express feelings of disgust that highlight moral decay or betrayal—often described as sickening.
• Contemporary novels frequently use the term to portray societal problems, emphasizing the emotional weight of certain issues.

Health and Medicine

• Certain illnesses, like food poisoning, are often described as sickening, signaling the body's reaction to harmful substances.
• Mental health discussions may use the term to describe feelings related to anxiety or panic, emphasizing the emotional toll.
• Symptoms of sickness—like nausea—can be heavily tied to the experiences that feel mentally or emotionally sickening.

Pop Culture

• In movies, scenes deemed sickening often shock the audience, eliciting strong emotional reactions.
• Social media often labels certain trends or behaviors as sickening in the context of ethical or moral discussions.
• Sickening plot twists in television shows can surprise audiences, reinforcing the element of shock commonly associated with suspense.

With rank #19,274, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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• 19272 chili
• 19273 granule
• 19274 sickening
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