Definition

Noun: The quality of being so unpleasant, offensive, or morally repugnant that it causes intense aversion or disgust. It refers to something that is deeply shocking or horrifying to the senses or emotions.

Usage

The noun "repulsiveness" describes an inherent characteristic of something that provokes a strong feeling of revulsion. It is a formal term often used in analytical, descriptive, or critical contexts to discuss the nature of something objectionable. - It is typically used as an uncountable noun (e.g., the repulsiveness of the act). - It often follows the definite article "the" when referring to the specific quality of a subject.

Examples

• The documentary highlighted the repulsiveness of the crime, leaving the audience in stunned silence.
• She could not get past the sheer repulsiveness of the decaying food.
• Critics argued that the film's artistic merit was overshadowed by the graphic repulsiveness of its violence.
• The moral repulsiveness of his actions led to his swift dismissal from the committee.

Advanced Usage

• Conceptual Repulsiveness: Used in philosophical or ethical discussions to describe ideas or principles that are fundamentally abhorrent.
  • The debate centered on the ethical repulsiveness of the proposed policy.
• Aesthetic Repulsiveness: Used in art criticism or description to denote something visually or sensorily offensive.
  • The sculpture was praised by some for challenging beauty norms, while others were fixated on its aesthetic repulsiveness.

Variants and Related Words

• Repulsive (adjective): Arousing intense distaste or disgust.
  • He found the idea morally repulsive.
• Repulse (verb): To cause someone to feel intense distaste or aversion; to drive back an attack or attacker.
  • The graphic images repulsed the viewers. (caused aversion)
  • The army managed to repulse the invasion. (drove back)
• Repulsion (noun): A feeling of intense distaste or disgust; also a force that drives things apart (physics).
  • She felt a wave of repulsion at the suggestion.

Synonyms

• Loathsomeness: The quality of being hateful or offensive.
• Disgustingness: The quality of causing disgust.
• Offensiveness: The quality of being unpleasant or insulting.
• Horribleness: The quality of being dreadful or terrible.
• Vileness (as in the reference context): The quality of being extremely unpleasant or evil.

Antonyms

• Attractiveness: The quality of being pleasing or appealing.
• Desirability: The quality of being wanted or admired.
• Pleasantness: The quality of being enjoyable or agreeable.
• Allure: The quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating.

Idioms and Phrases

Note: "Repulsiveness" itself is not commonly used in fixed idioms. However, the adjective "repulsive" can be part of common constructions. - Physically/Morally Repulsive: A common collocation specifying the nature of the disgust. - The character's betrayal was morally repulsive to the audience.

Noun

1. the quality of being disgusting to the senses or emotions
   • the vileness of his language surprised us