yuck factor
Instinctive revulsion measure
The yuck factor is an instinctive feeling of disgust or revulsion that influences judgment, especially toward unfamiliar foods, medical procedures, or scientific advances: The yuck factor keeps many people from trying insects as food.
The term often implies that emotional reactions override rational assessment: We need to get past the yuck factor and look at the evidence.
Causing strong disgust
- nauseatingCausing urge to vomit
- stomach-churningCausing visceral disgust
- grossTotal before subtractions
- sickeningCausing disgust or nausea
repugnant · putrid · foul · loathsome · repellent · off-putting · nasty · abhorrent
Not pleasing to eat
- unpalatableUnpleasant to taste
- unsavoryMorally or socially objectionable
- slimyWet, slippery, unpleasant
- smellyHaving foul odor
rotten · spoiled · moldy · fermented · insects · offal · eyeballs · brains
Not allowed
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- culturalRelating to shared traditions
- off-limitsProhibited from access
- unmentionableToo shameful to discuss
unspeakable · inappropriate · transgressive · boundary-crossing · contamination · purity · impure · unclean
Making identical copies
- GMOLab-altered life form
- xenotransplantationGrafting between different species
- lab-grownCreated artificially, not naturally
- syntheticProduced artificially, not natural
artificial · test-tube · CRISPR · chimera · unnatural · Frankenstein · biotech
revolting
Causing strong disgust
- nauseatingCausing urge to vomit
- stomach-churningCausing visceral disgust
- grossTotal before subtractions
sickening · repugnant · putrid · foul · loathsome · repellent · off-putting · nasty · abhorrent · cringe-worthy
unappetizing
Not pleasing to eat
- unpalatableUnpleasant to taste
- unsavoryMorally or socially objectionable
- slimyWet, slippery, unpleasant
smelly · rotten · spoiled · moldy · fermented · insects · offal · eyeballs · brains · tripe
forbidden
Not allowed
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- culturalRelating to shared traditions
- off-limitsProhibited from access
unmentionable · unspeakable · inappropriate · transgressive · boundary-crossing · contamination · purity · impure · unclean · caste
cloning
Making identical copies
- GMOLab-altered life form
- xenotransplantationGrafting between different species
- lab-grownCreated artificially, not naturally
synthetic · artificial · test-tube · CRISPR · chimera · unnatural · Frankenstein · biotech
queasy
Mildly sick to stomach
- cringeShrink from discomfort
- winceReflexive recoil from distress
- shudderConvulsive trembling from fear
gag · recoil · flinch · squirm · grimace · faint-hearted · delicate · sensitive · hypersensitive · overreaction
yuck factorwow factor
Striking impressive quality
appeal · allure · attraction · desirability · draw
yuck factorfamiliarity
Knowledge through experience
coziness · warmth · reassurance · approachability · homeyness
yuck, factor, factors, factorial, factored, factoring, yucky, yuckiness