revulsion

noun

re·​vul·​sion ri-ˈvəl-shən How to pronounce revulsion (audio)
Synonyms of revulsionnext
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 adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Widespread revulsion at the assassination led to a crackdown on the Red Brigades and the beginning of the end of the group’s influence. David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Feb. 2026 Manscaped’s ‘Hair Ballad’ Several ads trafficked in revulsion as an attention-getter, none more so than this one for a body shaver featuring various clumps of removed body hair singing with their little hairy mouths. Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026 These critiques were made during a time of growing revulsion against slum clearance and heavy-handed urban-renewal attempts; the reentry of the creative classes to city centers was only beginning to gain notice. Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026 This was true even before ICE and Border Patrol agents shot and killed two protesters in Minnesota in the past two weeks, violence that has provoked widespread revulsion. Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for revulsion

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of revulsion was in 1609

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Revulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revulsion. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

revulsion

noun
re·​vul·​sion ri-ˈvəl-shən How to pronounce revulsion (audio)
1
: a strong pulling or drawing away : withdrawal
2
a
: a sudden or strong reaction or change
b
: a sense of complete dislike
revulsive adjective

Medical Definition

revulsion

noun
re·​vul·​sion ri-ˈvəl-shən How to pronounce revulsion (audio)
: alleviation of a localized disease by treatment (as with counterirritants) of an adjacent region

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