repel

verb

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re·pel | \ ri-ˈpel

repelled; repelling

Definition of repel

transitive verb

1a : to drive back : repulse

b : to fight against : resist

2 : turn away, reject repelled the insinuation

3a : to drive away : discourage foul words and frowns must not repel a lover— William Shakespeare

b : to be incapable of adhering to, mixing with, taking up, or holding

c : to force away or apart or tend to do so by mutual action at a distance

4 : to cause aversion in : disgust

intransitive verb

: to cause aversion

Other Words from repel Synonyms When to Use Repel More Example Sentences Learn More About repel

When to Use Repel

Since re- can mean not just "again" but also "back", repel means "drive back". Repel has two common adjective forms; thus, a repellent or repulsive odor may drive us into the other room. Its main noun form is repulsion. Magnets exhibit both attraction and repulsion, and the goal of an armed defense is the repulsion of an enemy; but we generally use repulsion to mean "strong dislike". In recent years, repulse has been increasingly used as a synonym for repel ("That guy repulses me").

Examples of repel in a Sentence

a fabric that repels water Their superior forces repelled the invasion. Two positive electrical charges repel each other. Magnets can both repel and attract one another.

Recent Examples on the Web Ukraine needs up to 300 rocket systems and powerful artillery to repel Russian attacks. — Katya Soldak, Forbes, 10 June 2022 The Azovstal steel plant is facing heavy shelling, as Ukraine’s troops have entrenched themselves there, using it as a fortification to try and repel Russian attacks. — Bloomberg.com, 19 Apr. 2022 Without sufficient fuel, however, the Ukrainians will be seriously constrained in their ability to cut off and repel Russian attacks. — Daniel L. Davis, CNN, 14 Apr. 2022 Whereas Finland had to fight bloody wars to establish its independence a century ago and to repel a Soviet invasion in 1939 and 1940, Sweden has been at peace. — Sune Engel Rasmussen, WSJ, 22 May 2022 Ukraine's ongoing fight to repel a Russian invasion has so far received bipartisan congressional support. — Candy Woodall, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2022 Since the war began, some 400,000 Ukrainians who had been living abroad have returned home to fight, according to reports: to repel the invasion. — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 4 Apr. 2022 The funds would cover weapons as well as military services, education and training as Ukrainians seek to repel a Russian invasion. — NBC News, 12 Mar. 2022 Faced with an existential threat, Ukraine’s government and its people are working together to repel the Russian invasion. — Aryn Baker, Time, 6 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'repel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.