repulsion
B2Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A strong feeling of disgust or aversion; the force that pushes two things apart.
In physics, the force by which bodies repel or tend to repel each other. In psychology and general use, a profound instinctive feeling of revulsion or avoidance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun describing an intense feeling or a physical force. Carries a stronger emotional charge than simple 'dislike'. Often used to describe moral, aesthetic, or instinctive reactions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the term in the same contexts.
Connotations
Identical connotations of strong aversion or physical pushing away.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in formal British writing, but overall usage is comparable.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] feels repulsion for/toward(s) [Object][Subject] experiences repulsion at [Event/Action]There is a repulsion between [Entity A] and [Entity B]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not a strongly idiomatic word; no common idioms use 'repulsion' as a core component]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Possible in contexts describing consumer reaction: 'The product's design triggered a feeling of repulsion in focus groups.'
Academic
Common in psychology (emotional repulsion), ethics (moral repulsion), and physics (electromagnetic/quantum repulsion).
Everyday
Used to describe a strong, instinctive negative reaction to something unpleasant, creepy, or morally offensive.
Technical
In physics, a precise term for the force that acts between bodies of like electric charge or magnetic polarity, pushing them apart.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The very idea repulses me.
- Like charges repel each other.
American English
- His hypocrisy repulses voters.
- The north poles of two magnets will repel.
adverb
British English
- The meat smelled repulsively strong.
- He behaved repulsively at the dinner party.
American English
- The room was repulsively dirty.
- She was repulsively arrogant to the staff.
adjective
British English
- He found the decaying food utterly repulsive.
- The criminal's actions were morally repulsive.
American English
- She thought the proposal was repulsive.
- A repulsive odour came from the drain.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I feel repulsion when I see spiders.
- The bad smell caused a feeling of repulsion.
- She felt a sudden repulsion towards the greasy food.
- There is a natural repulsion between two identical magnetic poles.
- His cruelty filled her with moral repulsion.
- The electrostatic repulsion prevents the atoms from merging.
- A profound cultural repulsion underlay their inability to negotiate.
- The theory explains the repulsion of electrons in the valence shell based on quantum principles.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of REPULSION as RE-PULSING something away. If something repulses you, you want to PUSH it away (pulse = push).
Conceptual Metaphor
MORAL DISGUST IS PHYSICAL REPULSION (e.g., 'I was repulsed by his behaviour'); AVERSION IS A FORCE FIELD (creating distance).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'republika' (республика) – no relation.
- The Russian 'отвращение' is a very close equivalent for the emotional sense.
- The physics term 'отталкивание' is the direct equivalent for the force.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'repulcion' or 'repultion'.
- Using it as a verb ('I repulsion it') – the verb is 'repel' or 'repulse'.
- Confusing with 'repulsive' (the adjective).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'repulsion' a precise technical term for a pushing force?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The related verbs are 'repel' and 'repulse'. 'Repel' is more common, especially in physics. 'Repulse' often relates to causing disgust.
It is less common than simpler words like 'disgust' or 'dislike'. It is used for stronger, more formal, or more instinctive reactions.
No, by definition, repulsion is a negative force or feeling that creates distance or avoidance.
They are very close synonyms. 'Repulsion' often implies a stronger, more physical reaction making you want to pull away, while 'disgust' can be more purely sensory or moral.