nauseate

[ naw-zee-eyt, -zhee-, -see-, -shee- ]

verb (used with object)

, nau·se·at·ed, nau·se·at·ing.

1. to affect with nausea; sicken 1:

   The overwhelming smell of boiled cabbage nauseated them.

2. to cause to feel extreme disgust:

   His vicious behavior toward the dogs nauseates me.

   Synonyms: revolt

   Antonyms: delight, attract

verb (used without object)

, nau·se·at·ed, nau·se·at·ing.

1. to become affected with nausea.

nauseate

/ ˈnɔːzɪˌeɪt; -sɪ- /

verb

1. tr to arouse feelings of disgust or revulsion in
2. to feel or cause to feel sick

Derived Forms

• ˈnauseˌatingly, adverb
• ˌnauseˈation, noun
• ˈnauseˌating, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nauseate¹

First recorded in 1630–40, nauseate is from the Latin word nauseātus (past participle of nauseāre “to be seasick”). See nausea, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The film was shocking and appalling and shot in a dizzying style with circling camerawork and strobe lighting that was as likely to nauseate viewers as the vicious and visceral content on screen made them wince and cringe and head up the aisles.

From Salon

You may have thought that the drubbing Republicans received in the recent election would have prompted party leaders to think more warily about promoting policies that nauseate the voting public.

From Los Angeles Times

As if Dodger fans didn’t have enough to nauseate them during Saturday’s playoff game against the San Diego Padres, the telecast featured an openly racist commercial blaming President Biden and other Democrats for illegal immigration.

From Los Angeles Times

Some people have reported that the headsets nauseate them.

From New York Times

Q. Fed up in Philadelphia: I love my in-laws very much, but they have hygiene habits that nauseate me.

From Slate

Related Words

• horrify
• sicken