Word: repulsion

Associations

Repulsion is a strong feeling of dislike or disapproval towards something. It can also refer to a force that pushes things away from each other.

• Example 1: She felt a sense of repulsion at the sight of the dirty dishes. (Here, repulsion describes a strong dislike for something unclean.)
• Example 2: The repulsion between the two magnets made it impossible for them to stick together. (In this case, it refers to the physical force between two magnets that pushes them apart.)
• Example 3: His rude behavior caused a repulsion among his friends. (Here, it indicates that his actions made his friends want to move away from him.)

The well-known synonym for repulsion is "aversion." The main difference is that aversion is usually a more general feeling of dislike, while repulsion often conveys a stronger or more immediate reaction.

Substitution

In some contexts, you might use words like "disgust," "revulsion," or "repulsion" depending on the intensity.

• "Disgust" conveys a strong sense of dislike, often related to something unpleasant.
• "Revulsion" implies an even stronger feeling of unwillingness or nausea towards something.

Deconstruction

The word "repulsion" comes from Latin. It is made up of two parts:

• The prefix "re-" means "back" or "again."
• The root "-puls-" comes from "pulsare," meaning "to push." Thus, repulsion implies a force pushing something away or a strong feeling pushing you back.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you felt repulsion towards something? What was it, and why did you feel that way?
• How would you describe the feeling of repulsion in a different situation, maybe related to food or smells?
• Are there situations in which you have felt both attraction and repulsion at the same time? What were they?