Synonyms of dispel

dispel

verb

di-ˈspel 

as in to disperse

to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart

the sudden downpour dispelled the throng of street revelers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disperse
• dissipate
• scatter
• isolate
• disband
• squander
• segregate
• disseminate
• clear out
• diffuse
• split (up)
• separate
• part
• spread
• break up
• diverge

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collect
• gather
• concentrate
• assemble
• congregate
• cluster
• unite
• unify
• conglomerate
• ingather
• agglutinate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dispel differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dispel are disperse, dissipate, and scatter. While all these words mean "to cause to separate or break up," dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering.

an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

When would disperse be a good substitute for dispel?

While in some cases nearly identical to dispel, disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group.

police dispersed the crowd

When could dissipate be used to replace dispel?

The words dissipate and dispel can be used in similar contexts, but dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance.

the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

When might scatter be a better fit than dispel?

The meanings of scatter and dispel largely overlap; however, scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions.

the bowling ball scattered the pins

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dispel

That’s why Rotary members, also embedded in these same communities, have played a vital role in not just funding and organizing campaigns, but also dispelling doubts and ensuring no child is left behind. —Dr. Tunji Funsho, Time, 24 Oct. 2025

Now more than ever, Evavold said Halloween is about bringing families and youngsters together rather than dispelling trouble that might be brewing. —Chris Kenning, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025

The 91-year-old former movie star, who became an international icon in the '50s, recently took to social media to dispel rumors of her death while calling out the spread of misinformation. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025

After the loss, he was asked about the injury, and brushed it off, but didn't completely dispel all concerns regarding the matter. —Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025