repulse

verb

re·pulse | \ri-ˈpəls

repulsed; repulsing

Definition of repulse

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to drive or beat back : repel

2 : to repel by discourtesy, coldness, or denial

3 : to cause repulsion in

repulse

noun

Definition of repulse (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : rebuff, rejection

2 : the action of repelling an attacker : the fact of being repelled

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about repulse

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Examples of repulse in a Sentence

Verb

The troops repulsed the attack. I was repulsed by the movie's violence. The moldy bread repulsed him. He repulsed all attempts to help him.

Noun

the waiter's incredibly rude repulse of our polite request for a better table—one that wasn't right next to the kitchen—prompted us to walk out

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The Conservatives’ campaign last year failed to attract degree-less voters in large numbers, while simultaneously repulsing graduates in places like Battersea and Canterbury. — The Economist, "People without degrees are the most under-represented minority," 10 May 2018 The thought of adopting a perennial contender, like Chicago or Pittsburgh, repulsed him. — New York Times, "The Lonely Existence of Winnipeg Jets Fans in Atlanta," 6 May 2018 Inspired by radical literature and repulsed by the brutal social injustices in Russian society — not to mention her father — Perovskaya left home while still a teenager. — Eva Sohlman, New York Times, "Overlooked No More: The Russian Icon Who Was Hanged for Killing a Czar," 30 May 2018 While some people love a good pickle on their sandwich or deep fried dipped in ranch, others are repulsed by the salty vegetable. — Madison Roberts, PEOPLE.com, "Pickle Juice Soft Serve Is Now a Thing—Here's Where You Can Taste the Tangy Treat," 16 May 2018 Further afield, an international coalition led by US president George H.W. Bush repulsed the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. — Jonathan Bradley, Billboard, "Dream Up the World You're Gonna Live In: How U2's 'Zooropa' Got the Future Wrong, 25 Years Later," 5 July 2018 American shells exploded within 5 yards of his position and eventually the attack was repulsed. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin veteran helps World War II hero get Medal of Honor," 14 June 2018 The military said in a statement Sunday their troops repulsed both attacks. — Fox News, "Pakistan kills 6 after coming under attack near Afghanistan," 4 June 2018 That interview exposed a deep-seated family rift, with Gosar's brother telling The Arizona Republic he was repulsed by the congressman's comments. — Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, azcentral, "McCain co-author: Rep. Gosar 'dumbass' over Cindy McCain talk; Gosar responds 'piss off'," 2 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Yet Mr Trump’s decision to change course represents neither a disastrous retreat nor a major moral repulse. — The Economist, "A blot against America," 23 June 2018 After another great inwash of Hispanics, peaking during the late 1990s at around 750,000 arrivals a year, a repulse was inevitable. — The Economist, "LexingtonHostility to immigration used to be found in both parties," 18 Jan. 2018 Fog stalled airborne reinforcements to British forces at Arnhem in 1944, contributing to the German repulse of a major Allied initiative. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "The Deadly Cost of Mutual Misunderstanding," 18 Oct. 2017 Valerian wheezes to a close and then gives us a sloppy, oafish grin, one that, much like an ugly dog, both endears and repulses. — Jillian Selzer, Cosmopolitan, "The 12 Meanest Things Critics Are Saying About Valerian," 24 July 2017 Valerian wheezes to a close and then gives us a sloppy, oafish grin, one that, much like an ugly dog, both endears and repulses. — Jillian Selzer, Cosmopolitan, "The 12 Meanest Things Critics Are Saying About Valerian," 24 July 2017 Valerian wheezes to a close and then gives us a sloppy, oafish grin, one that, much like an ugly dog, both endears and repulses. — Richard Lawson, HWD, "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Is an Endearing, Eye-Popping Mess," 18 July 2017 Valerian wheezes to a close and then gives us a sloppy, oafish grin, one that, much like an ugly dog, both endears and repulses. — Richard Lawson, vanityfair.com, "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets Is an Endearing, Eye-Popping Mess," 18 July 2017

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