emetic
Word family
- emesisnounC2
- antiemeticadjectiveC2
- antiemeticnounC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/2
All three synonyms describe something that causes strong disgust, but they differ in register and connotation. 'Nauseating' is the closest in meaning to the figurative sense of 'emetic', sharing the physical sickening metaphor — a nauseating smell, a nauseating display of greed. 'Revolting' carries a stronger emotional charge: it suggests moral outrage or deep personal repulsion rather than physical disgust, as in a revolting act of betrayal. 'Sickening' is the most common and versatile of the three, fitting both physical disgust (a sickening smell) and moral horror (a sickening injustice). Unlike these three, 'emetic' retains an intellectual, almost clinical tone even in its figurative use. For example: 'The violence was nauseating' sounds like a natural reaction; 'The violence was emetic' sounds like a critic's judgement.
Common collocations
Etymology
Borrowed from Greek 'emetikos' (causing vomiting), which comes from 'emesis' (vomiting). The word passed through Latin 'emeticus' before entering English in the 17th century as a medical term. The figurative sense — describing something so unpleasant that it feels sickening — developed in the late 19th century.