repulsion

noun

re·​pul·​sion ri-ˈpəl-shən 

1

: the action of repulsing : the state of being repulsed

2

: the action of repelling : the force with which bodies, particles, or like forces repel one another

3

: a feeling of aversion : repugnance

Synonyms

• aversion
• disgust
• distaste
• horror
• loathing
• nausea
• repugnance
• revulsion

Examples of repulsion in a Sentence

I read about what happened with a feeling of shock and repulsion.

She felt a repulsion for politics.

a repulsion between the particles

their successful repulsion of the attack

Recent Examples on the Web

For now, a Ukrainian victory would consist of the repulsion of the initial all-out 2022 Russian offensive as well as terms that end the killing of Ukrainians, fast-track the country’s accession into the EU, and obtain Kyiv security guarantees from the West in case of Russian cease-fire violations. —Odd Arne Westad, Foreign Affairs, 13 June 2024

This attraction or repulsion is a minimal sense of wanting or not wanting. —Sigal Samuel, Vox, 4 June 2024

That then weakens their repulsion from the water’s oxygen atoms, too, a phenomenon that intensifies as the silica particles move toward one another. —Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 14 May 2024

Benton drew from his own memories growing up in Texas, and the mix of affection for and repulsion toward the place that made him can be felt from beginning to end. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repulsioun, borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French repulcion, repulsion, borrowed from Medieval Latin repulsiōn, repulsiō "action of driving away or expelling" (Late Latin, "refutation"), derivative, with the suffix of verbal action -tiōn-, -tiō, of Latin repellere "to push away, drive back, fend off " (with -s- from past participle and verbal noun repulsus) — more at repel

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

repulsion

noun

re·​pul·​sion ri-ˈpəl-shən 

1

: the action of repulsing : the state of being repulsed

2

: the force with which bodies, particles, or like forces repel one another

3

: a feeling of great dislike : repugnance

Medical Definition

repulsion

noun

re·​pul·​sion ri-ˈpəl-shən 

: the tendency of some linked genetic characters to be inherited separately because a dominant allele for each character occurs on the same chromosome as a recessive allele of the other compare coupling sense 2