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

It is also being met with outsize revulsion by many voters. —Karla Adam, Washington Post, 26 June 2024

The collective and immediate show of opprobrium and moral revulsion by Western governments, corporations, and cultural bodies meted out wide-reaching and consequential stigmatization. —Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 27 Oct. 2022

Today, the last of those profiles is being taken down amid waves of viral revulsion as word of their existence has spread online. —Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025

The origin story of his revulsion involves a late-night infomercial for a stick blender. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024

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