definitions

repulsion

[ ri-puhl-shuh n ]
/ rɪˈpʌl ʃən /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR repulsion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of repulsing or the state of being repulsed.
the feeling of being repelled, as by the thought or presence of something; distaste, repugnance, or aversion.
Physics. the force that acts between bodies of like electric charge or magnetic polarity, tending to separate them.

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RELATED WORDS

distaste, loathing, malice, revulsion, denial, abhorrence, repugnance, revolt, horror, detestation, abomination, resentment, refusal, aversion, snub, antipathy, hate, rebuff, disrelish, repugnancy

Nearby words

repudiatory, repugn, repugnance, repugnant, repulse, repulsion, repulsive, repulsively, repurchase, repurchase agreement, repurpose

Origin of repulsion

1375–1425; late Middle English < Middle French < Medieval Latin repulsiōn- (stem of Late Latin repulsiō), equivalent to Latin repuls(us) (see repulse) + -iōn- -ion
Related formsin·ter·re·pul·sion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for repulsion

British Dictionary definitions for repulsion

repulsion

/ (rɪˈpʌlʃən) /

noun

a feeling of disgust or aversion
physics a force tending to separate two objects, such as the force between two like electric charges or magnetic poles
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for repulsion

repulsion

n.

early 15c., "repudiation," from Late Latin repulsionem (nominative repulsio) "a repelling," noun of action from past participle stem of repellere (see repel). Meaning "action of forcing or driving back" is attested from 1540s. Sense of "strong dislike" is from 1751.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for repulsion

repulsion

[ rĭ-pŭl′shən ]

n.

The act of repelling or driving apart.
A feeling of extreme dislike.
The tendency of particles or bodies of the same electric charge or magnetic polarity to separate.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.