Synonyms of repel

repel

verb

ri-ˈpel 

1

as in to repulse

to drive back

the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• repulse
• resist
• fight
• deflect
• turn back
• fend (off)
• withstand
• rebut
• turn away
• oppose
• stave off
• beat off
• ward (off)
• defy
• hold off
• spurn
• stand off
• rebuff
• snub

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• welcome
• embrace
• hail

2

as in to disgust

to cause to feel disgust

the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• repulse
• disgust
• sicken
• appal
• appall
• nauseate
• horrify
• revolt
• put off
• gross out
• distress
• turn off
• shock
• displease
• insult
• turn one's stomach
• outrage
• offend
• affront
• disquiet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attract
• pull
• lure
• draw
• entice
• seduce
• tempt
• disarm
• charm
• captivate
• beguile
• please
• fascinate
• gratify
• allure
• enchant
• rejoice
• delight
• tickle
• entrance
• bewitch
• appeal (to)
• interest
• enthrall
• intrigue
• enrapture
• enthral

3

as in to resist

to refuse to give in to

repelled the temptation to stay out late and call in sick the next day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resist
• oppose
• withstand
• fight
• defy
• combat
• thwart
• contradict
• hinder
• contend (with)
• counter
• frustrate
• buck
• challenge
• contest
• stem
• obstruct
• dispute
• foil
• balk
• battle
• check
• baffle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• submit (to)
• yield (to)
• surrender (to)
• bow (to)
• succumb (to)
• give in (to)
• capitulate (to)
• stoop (to)
• knuckle under (to)

Examples of repel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The scent and texture will repel most common pests. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024

In three years, this seagrass, which washes up in droves along Denmark’s endless shoreline, will harden and form air pockets like papier-mâché to retain its structure, repel rain, and resist fire and rot. —Anna Fiorentino, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Oct. 2024

Catch up quick: Iran launched about 180 ballistic missiles toward Israel in a two-wave attack on Tuesday that U.S. and Israeli officials say was largely repelled. —Russell Contreras, Axios, 2 Oct. 2024

These umbrellas have a Teflon coating that repels water, dirt, UV rays, debris and strong winds. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 26 Sep. 2024