repulses; repulsed; repulsing
formal
1
: to force (someone) to stop attacking you : repel
The troops repulsed the attack.
The invaders were repulsed. [=driven back]
2
: to cause dislike or disgust in (someone)
I was repulsed by the movie's violence.
The moldy bread repulsed him.
3
: to reject (someone or something) in a rude or unfriendly way
He repulsed all attempts to help him.
Cite this Entry
“Repulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/repulse. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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