revulsion

noun re·vul·sion \ ri-ˈvəl-shən \

Definition of revulsion

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

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revulsive

play \-ˈvəl-siv\ adjective

See revulsion defined for English-language learners

See revulsion defined for kids

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 of revulsion from the Web

Their affair ignited national controversy and revulsion, particularly after Letourneau defied a court order to stay away from Fualaau.

— steve helling, PEOPLE.com, "Mary Kay Letourneau and Vili Fualaau Are Still Living Together Months After Separation Announcement: Source," 24 Aug. 2017
Despite the messiness of the house and the revulsion you are made to feel for most of the characters onstage, this is a clean and crisp production.

— christopher arnott, courant.com, "'Appropriate' A Topical, Dysfunctional Drama At Westport Playhouse," 21 Aug. 2017
Merkel told reporters in Berlin on Friday, expressing revulsion after a van mowed down people on Barcelona’s Las Ramblas boulevard, killing 13.

— arne delfs, Bloomberg.com, "Merkel Curbs German Campaign to Honor Barcelona Attack Victims," 18 Aug. 2017
Today, in the face of widespread public revulsion, some of the marchers discover that being identified disporting themselves has unpleasant consequences.

— john e. mcintyre, baltimoresun.com, "First time tragedy, second time farce," 14 Aug. 2017
Instead, Quartiano turned it over to law enforcement authorities after posting it on Instagram, expressing his revulsion with the tags #sowrong and #notcool.

— glenn garvin, miamiherald, "A real-life ‘Jaws,’ but this time it’s the shark-killers who are being hunted," 30 July 2017
There is no good guy here: This is meant to inspire revulsion.

— will leitch, Daily Intelligencer, "It Seems Like Sports Can’t Sink Much Lower Than Mayweather-McGregor. But Just Wait.," 23 July 2017
But there was also sorrow — and revulsion — of another assault on British soil.

— kim hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, "Unity but also anger for Finsbury Park's residents after van attack," 19 June 2017
The targeted shooting of Republican lawmakers at play yielded a kaleidoscope of emotions Wednesday — anger, revulsion, horror — but little in the way of surprise.

— mark z. barabak, latimes.com, "Reaction to shooting at congressional baseball practice reveals a nation that doesn't just disagree. It hates," 15 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'revulsion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of revulsion

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

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First Known Use: 1609

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revulsion Synonyms

Synonyms

aversion, distaste, horror, loathing, nausea, repugnance, repulsion, disgust

Related Words

abhorrence, abomination, antipathy, execration, hate, hatred; allergy, averseness, disapproval, disfavor, disinclination, dislike, disliking, displeasure

Near Antonyms

appetite, bent, fancy, favor, fondness, like, liking, love, partiality, penchant, predilection, preference, propensity, relish, shine, taste, use

REVULSION Defined for English Language Learners

revulsion

noun

Definition of revulsion for English Language Learners

: a very strong feeling of dislike or disgust

REVULSION Defined for Kids

revulsion

noun re·vul·sion \ ri-ˈvəl-shən \

Definition of revulsion for Students

:a strong feeling of dislike or disgust

Medical Dictionary

revulsion

noun re·vul·sion \ ri-ˈvəl-shən \

medical Definition of revulsion

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

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REVULSION Defined for English Language Learners

revulsion

Definition of revulsion for English Language Learners

REVULSION Defined for Kids

revulsion

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revulsion

medical Definition of revulsion

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