1
as in to repulse
to drive back
the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disgust
to cause to feel disgust
the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repel
Realistically, your best chance of success at naturally repelling rats may be using predator urine, repellent pouches, or ultrasonic devices that require less worry and upkeep.
—
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
In fact, the more aggressive Beijing has become toward Taiwan, the more Beijing has repelled rather than attracted the people of Taiwan.
—Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
Vietnam's Duc Phuc, whose song was based on a folktale about a king famous for repelling an enemy army, was crowned the strongest act by a jury made up of participating countries.
—Andrew Osborn, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
His success is both what draws those closest to him and repels them from his elevated position.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
In fact, the more aggressive Beijing has become toward Taiwan, the more Beijing has repelled rather than attracted the people of Taiwan.
—Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
Vietnam's Duc Phuc, whose song was based on a folktale about a king famous for repelling an enemy army, was crowned the strongest act by a jury made up of participating countries.
—Andrew Osborn, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025
His success is both what draws those closest to him and repels them from his elevated position.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
-
He was repulsed then, but years later, thinking about a man who’d expressed an interest in the human body in the most macabre possible way sparked something in Hunnam.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Jackson was repulsed at the idea of the film being shown to the public, as was Zapruder, who quickly settled again with Time-Life.—
Time,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Christine assures him that she could never be disgusted with him.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
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Calling the mass killing of civilians in Gaza a genocide is contentious as well, but even patriotic Israelis disgusted by their own government have begun to use the term.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Hughes and others began resisting orders in passive ways, showing up late or taking patrols extra slowly.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Yet, in the privacy of his room, Jiang does not resist the temptation of violence.—
Yangyang Cheng,
NPR,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The outbreak has killed four people and sickened at least 20, all but one of whom required hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
30 Sep. 2025
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In March 2020, following a European tour, both country-folk singer and songwriter and his wife of 23 years, Fiona, were sickened by coronavirus (COVID-19).—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Put differently, opposing receivers have recorded the second-least fantasy points on the Panthers in 2025.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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One of the defendants, Benjamin Song — a 32-year-old former Marine Corps reservist who associates described to authorities as a cult-like ringleader who opposes the government on immigration enforcement and on other matters — shot Alvarado Police Department Lt.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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East Oak Patio Heater With Round Table Design Constructed with corrosion-resistant 304 stainless steel, the East Oak Patio Heater is made to withstand regular use outside.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
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Oregon withstood Penn State’s rally to win in double overtime, 30-24.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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