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 utter distaste or repugnance
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 In episode six, the last one before the next batch of Love Is Blind becomes available next week, her annoyance and frankly, revulsion, with her new fiancé becomes more and more palpable. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2024 Her germ phobia may have infected Simone with her lifelong revulsion at bodily contact. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2024 Watching these scenes produces revulsion, not delight, but the action still stops periodically to revel in the sensation. Katie Rife, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024 Driving a Lamborghini allows one to experience, and delight in, novel forms of human loathing, ones tinged with exhilaration, avarice, and revulsion—the latter of which may be, but isn’t, the English translation of revuelto. Brett Berk, Architectural Digest, 30 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for revulsion 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'revulsion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near revulsion

Cite this Entry

“Revulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revulsion. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

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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