repulse

verb re·pulse \ ri-ˈpəls \

Definition of repulse

repulsed; repulsing

transitive verb

1 :to drive or beat back :repel

2 :to repel by discourtesy, coldness, or denial

3 :to cause repulsion in

See repulse defined for English-language learners

See repulse defined for kids

Examples of repulse in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of repulse from the Web

Trump has repeatedly claimed that Pershing used bullets soaked in pigs’ blood to scare and repulse Muslim insurgents there, since Muslims believe consuming pork is a sin.

— OregonLive.com, "Abraham Lincoln owned slaves! 15 'alt-right'-fueled myths a lot of Americans believe," 24 Aug. 2017
From rats and giant spiders, to hoards of cult-like clowns moving in unison, AHS: Cult is aiming to shock and repulse.

— amy mackelden, Marie Claire, "The Latest 'AHS: Cult' Trailer Is a Terrifying Horror Montage," 19 Aug. 2017
Director Sabaah Folayan says her first reaction to hearing the chant used in Charlottesville last week was to feel repulsed.

— julie hinds, Detroit Free Press, "The powerful 'Whose Streets?' documentary comes to Cinema Detroit," 18 Aug. 2017
Americans are naturally repulsed by the ideology of hate fomented by Nazis, skinheads or the Klan.

— randy blaser, chicagotribune.com, "Column: The frightening last gasps of a movement based on hate," 17 Aug. 2017
And the regime’s use of excessive force and mass detentions had repulsed all but its staunchest allies in the region.

— jim wyss, miamiherald, "Regional leaders rebuke Trump’s Venezuela military threat," 12 Aug. 2017
For decades, residents have been repulsed by the idea of swimming in the Willamette River because of weekly sewage overflows that created a bacterial stew.

— gillian flaccus, The Seattle Times, "Portland touts revived Willamette River," 15 July 2017
For decades, residents have been repulsed by the idea of swimming in the Willamette River because of weekly sewage overflows that created a bacterial stew.

— gillian flaccus, The Seattle Times, "Portland touts revived Willamette River," 15 July 2017
For decades, residents have been repulsed by the idea of swimming in the Willamette River because of weekly sewage overflows that created a bacterial stew.

— gillian flaccus, The Christian Science Monitor, "Portland river once shunned by swimmers enjoys rapid renaissance," 14 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.

Origin and Etymology of repulse

Latin repulsus, past participle of repellere to repel

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First Known Use: 15th century

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repulse Synonyms

Synonyms

gross out, nauseate, put off, repel, disgust, revolt, sicken, turn off

Related Words

displease, distress; appall (also appal), disquiet, horrify; affront, insult, offend, outrage, shock

Near Antonyms

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

repulse

noun

Definition of repulse

1 :rebuff, rejection

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

Examples of repulse in a Sentence

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 of repulse from the Web

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

First Known Use of repulse

15th century

repulse Synonyms

Synonyms

brush-off, rebuff, cold shoulder, silent treatment, snub

Antonyms

open arms

Related Words

dismissal, kiss-off, rejection; banishment, blackball, ostracism

Near Antonyms

acceptance, embrace, welcome; glad hand, welcome mat

REPULSE Defined for English Language Learners

repulse

verb

Definition of repulse for English Language Learners

: to force (someone) to stop attacking you
: to cause dislike or disgust in (someone)
: to reject (someone or something) in a rude or unfriendly way

REPULSE Defined for Kids

repulse

verb re·pulse \ ri-ˈpəls \

Definition of repulse for Students

repulsed; repulsing

1 :to drive or beat back :repel

The army repulsed their enemy.

2 :to reject in a rude or unfriendly way :snub

He repulsed attempts to help him.

3 :to cause dislike or disgust in The moldy bread repulsed me.

repulse

noun

Definition of repulse for Students

1 :²rebuff, snub

2 :the action of driving back an attacker

Learn More about repulse

See words that rhyme with repulse Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for repulse Spanish Central: Translation of repulse Nglish: Translation of repulse for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of repulse for Arabic speakers

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repulse

Definition of repulse

Examples of repulse in a Sentence

Recent Examples of repulse from the Web

First Known Use of repulse

repulse Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

REPULSE Defined for English Language Learners

repulse

Definition of repulse for English Language Learners

REPULSE Defined for Kids

repulse

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repulse

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