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

revulsive

ri-ˈvəl-siv 

adjective

Synonyms

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

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

Whereas many evangelical life narratives dwell on the details of a sinful past in order to celebrate a reformed present, after the moment of conversion, Kennedy does not write about his own violence with remorse or revulsion. —Charles McCrary, The New Republic, 3 Nov. 2023

Anything with a soft texture triggered a sense of revulsion. —Moises Velasquez-Manoff, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2023

This is a moment where everyone needs to make clear that there is revulsion, disgust and a determination not to allow this to go forward. —Greg Norman, Fox News, 12 Oct. 2023

Despite its revulsion at Moscow’s conduct, Washington will still need a Russia strong enough to effectively control its own territory and to create regional balances of power in Asia that favor Washington. —Thomas Graham, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2023

In recent days much of the revulsion has come from viewers and readers, often with themselves, at being reminded of just how extreme the dominant tenor of entertainment was in the country not so long ago. —Alexander Smith, NBC News, 23 Sep. 2023

But in recent times, few parasitic insects have instilled more skin-crawling revulsion — or fear of infestation — than the common bed bug. —Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 18 Sep. 2023

The 1925 Geneva Protocol banning the use of poison gas grew out of the revulsion the weapon caused during World War I. Countries agreed to the ban despite claims that poison gas was more humane than other weapons—and despite the lack of any means of enforcing the ban other than retaliating in kind. —M. Girard Dorsey, Foreign Affairs, 22 Aug. 2023

But in that moment, Audrey’s revulsion, to say nothing of her bad-Asian guilt, were very much my own. —Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2023

See More

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

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