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

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

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

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