revulsion

noun

re·​vul·​sion ri-ˈvəl-shən 

1

: a strong pulling or drawing away : withdrawal

2

a

: a sudden or strong reaction or change

b

: a sense of utter distaste or repugnance

felt revulsion at the sight of such wanton destruction

revulsive

ri-ˈvəl-siv 

adjective

Synonyms of revulsion

• disgust
• hatred
• horror

Examples of revulsion in a Sentence

She was struck with revulsion at the sight of the dead animal.

a growing revulsion to war

Recent Examples on the Web

At the end of the third set, Gareth whispered into Marcy’s ear across the table, and her face took on a look of revulsion. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

When Google’s co-founder Larry Page stated that machines represent a higher form of intelligence, making human extinction an untroubling evolutionary event, most people responded with revulsion. — Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026

MacLeod’s revulsion toward copyright comes from frustration, and a desire to divorce art from capital incentives. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026

Watching Jackie read her profoundly scary tale, my reaction moved from curiosity to revulsion to fear… not of her, but of Michael. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin revulsion-, revulsio act of tearing away, from revellere to pluck away, from re- + vellere to pluck — more at vulnerable

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for revulsion

• avulsion
• compulsion
• convulsion
• emulsion
• expulsion
• impulsion
• propulsion
• repulsion
• microemulsion

Kids Definition

revulsion

noun

re·​vul·​sion ri-ˈvəl-shən 

1

: a strong pulling or drawing away : withdrawal

2

a

: a sudden or strong reaction or change

b

: a sense of complete dislike

revulsive

-ˈvəl-siv 

adjective

Medical Definition

revulsion

noun

re·​vul·​sion ri-ˈvəl-shən 

: alleviation of a localized disease by treatment (as with counterirritants) of an adjacent region