Synonyms of repel

repel

verb

ri-ˈpel 

1

as in to repulse

to drive back

the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting

Synonyms & Similar Words

• repulse
• resist
• fight
• deflect
• turn back
• fend (off)
• withstand
• rebut
• turn away
• oppose
• stave off
• beat off
• ward (off)
• defy
• hold off
• spurn
• stand off
• rebuff
• snub

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• welcome
• embrace
• hail

2

as in to disgust

to cause to feel disgust

the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• repulse
• disgust
• sicken
• appall
• nauseate
• horrify
• revolt
• put off
• gross out
• distress
• shock
• turn off
• insult
• displease
• outrage
• turn one's stomach
• offend
• affront
• disquiet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in to resist

to refuse to give in to

repelled the temptation to stay out late and call in sick the next day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resist
• oppose
• withstand
• fight
• defy
• combat
• thwart
• contradict
• hinder
• contend (with)
• counter
• frustrate
• buck
• challenge
• contest
• stem
• obstruct
• dispute
• foil
• balk
• battle
• check
• baffle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• submit (to)
• yield (to)
• surrender (to)
• bow (to)
• succumb (to)
• give in (to)
• capitulate (to)
• stoop (to)
• knuckle under (to)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of repel

Spray the areas around your home where wasps have gathered in the past with peppermint essential oil spray, which Wong says overwhelms their sensory receptors and naturally repels them. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026

Some microbiomes attracted the skeeters; others repelled them. — ArsTechnica, 1 Sep. 2026

Reseeding helps block weed growth, repel lawn diseases, slow soil erosion, and strengthen growth in bare patches. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026

As mentioned above, Turkey’s deployment of TB2s in the country’s civil war in 2020 proved decisive, with these drones helping break the LNA’s siege on Tripoli and empowering GNA ground forces to repel Haftar’s fighters. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026