was repulsed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was repulsed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong feeling of disgust or aversion towards something or someone in the past. Example: "She was repulsed by the sight of the spoiled food left in the fridge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was repulsed.

The Guardian

It was repulsed.

The Guardian - Sport

Another Dahomeyan attack was repulsed in 1864.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then he learned more, and was repulsed.

The Washington Post

Tiger just attacked and was repulsed.

The New Yorker

Yes, he was "repulsed" by the indefensible accusations.

The Washington Post

As with Hillary, it doesn't matter that anybody was repulsed.

Independent

Everywhere the enemy, when he counter-attacked, was repulsed.

The New York Times

Others found him handsome, but I was repulsed.

The New Yorker

"When I looked at him, I was repulsed.

The New Yorker

Winston Churchill wanted to commandeer it and was repulsed.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was repulsed" when you want to express a strong feeling of disgust, aversion, or repulsion in a past context. Ensure the subject experiencing the repulsion is clearly defined.

Common error

Avoid using "was repulsed" to describe a mild dislike or disagreement. This phrase carries a strong emotional weight and should be reserved for situations involving genuine disgust or aversion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was repulsed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject experienced a feeling of strong aversion or disgust. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was repulsed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase employed to convey a strong sense of disgust, aversion, or being driven back. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct. It's commonly found in news media, encyclopedias, and wiki articles, and should be reserved for situations involving genuine and intense negative reactions, avoiding overuse for mild dislikes. When writing, ensure the subject of the repulsion is clear and consider alternatives like "felt disgusted" or "felt revulsion" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felt disgusted

Replaces "was repulsed" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the feeling of disgust.

felt revulsion

Substitutes "was repulsed" with a more intense expression, highlighting a strong feeling of aversion.

experienced disgust

Rephrases "was repulsed" to focus on the experience of disgust, providing a slightly more formal tone.

felt a strong aversion

Expresses a feeling similar to being repulsed, but focuses on the sense of aversion or dislike.

found it disgusting

Shifts the focus to the object causing the feeling of being repulsed, rather than the feeling itself.

was appalled

Conveys a sense of shock and disgust, similar to being repulsed, but often used in response to something morally wrong.

was sickened

Replaces "was repulsed" with a more visceral reaction, suggesting a feeling of nausea or disgust.

was driven back

Focuses on the 'repel' definition, meaning an attack was pushed back, removing the emotional aspect.

found it offensive

Highlights the offensive nature of something, which can lead to feeling repulsed.

couldn't stand it

Indicates a strong dislike or aversion, similar to being repulsed, but less intense.

FAQs

How can I use "was repulsed" in a sentence?

You can use "was repulsed" to describe a strong feeling of disgust or aversion in the past. For example, "She "was repulsed" by the sight of the spoiled food."

What are some alternatives to "was repulsed"?

Alternatives include "felt disgusted", "felt revulsion", or "experienced disgust", depending on the intensity and context you want to convey.

Which is correct, "was repulsed" or "felt repulsed"?

"Was repulsed" is the correct phrasing to indicate a state of being, while "felt repulsed" is also grammatically correct and emphasizes the feeling. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the state or the feeling of being repulsed. In general, the version of the phrase that has the subject first is considered to be the grammatically correct phrasing.

What's the difference between "was repulsed" and "was disgusted"?

Both "was repulsed" and "was disgusted" indicate a strong feeling of aversion, but "was repulsed" can also imply a physical pushing back or rejection, while "was disgusted" focuses solely on the feeling of revulsion.