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
So by using superconducting materials that can repel magnetic fields, the device can make magnets effectively levitate over superconductors.
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
However, growing strongly scented rosemary plants near brassicas naturally repels many common garden pests, including cabbage moths.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
In drills, Taiwan has rehearsed repelling a seaborne assault with drones, fast patrol craft, mobile Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles and Marine Corps teams.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The housekeeping team fogs the balés every week to keep most of the biting insects at bay, and gardens teeming with mosquito-repelling lemongrass and zodia plants help keep them at a distance.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
However, growing strongly scented rosemary plants near brassicas naturally repels many common garden pests, including cabbage moths.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
In drills, Taiwan has rehearsed repelling a seaborne assault with drones, fast patrol craft, mobile Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles and Marine Corps teams.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The housekeeping team fogs the balés every week to keep most of the biting insects at bay, and gardens teeming with mosquito-repelling lemongrass and zodia plants help keep them at a distance.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
-
In the mid-19th century, Kasanje was able to repulse a Portuguese military expedition.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Sigmund Freud believed that every crush has a strand of disgust, that people are attracted to what repulses them.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No police necessity can explain their excessive use of force, which has shocked and disgusted fair-minded people across the political spectrum.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The consequences of disgusting one’s wife, whether or not one agrees with her premise, could be enormous.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The jury award was a spur to understand a life recognizably shaped by social-media algorithms, in ways that were perhaps near-impossible to resist, as a serious injury to an entire generation.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Desmon Moore also physically resisted officers, documents filed with the court allege.—
Nick Sullivan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
People all over the globe were in disbelief that a man could perpetuate a campaign of drugging and raping his wife without her knowledge, and even more sickened that dozens of men joined him in his crimes.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
1 Apr. 2026
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Police in Broomfield, Colorado, opened an investigation after multiple hot dogs laced with methamphetamine were found in a family’s yard and sickened at least two dogs, according to a press release.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Jalen Brunson knows any variation of offensive plays featuring both him and All-Star teammate Karl-Anthony Towns can be difficult, nearly impossible for opposing defenses to guard.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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Despite the changes, several groups continue to oppose the bill, including Mental Health America of California.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When Guthrie anchors the Today show on Easter Monday, a major break in the case withstanding, the Christian spillover-holiday will mark the 65th day since her mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, was taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2026
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This connection provides the data needed to design divertors that can withstand the heat loads of real-world fusion energy production.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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