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

While the women have long dispelled rumors of any bad blood between them, unconvinced fans reignited conflict rumors in February 2023 after an infamous eyebrow debacle. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025

As Halloween approaches, CoComelon continues to post songs and playlists that help dispel fears your little one might have about this holiday. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 17 Oct. 2025

There was Flaherty, the up-and-down starter who dispelled doubts with two innings of scoreless relief, complete with a double-play escape act. —Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

Lululemon also alleges the wholesale club did not dispel rumors around this speculation. —Ryan Baker, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025