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
There’s some evidence that suggests that the smell of peppermint oil, cedarwood oil, citronella oil, rosemary oil and other essential oils can repel ticks.
—
Dan Simms, USA Today, 4 June 2026
State security forces repelled attacks on their positions and launched investigations to identify those responsible for organizing, financing and carrying out the violence, police said.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
Count on the strong aromatic oils of oregano (Origanum vulgare) to naturally repel aphids, spider mites, thrips, and beetles around your pepper plants.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026
Through smart positioning and tactical moves (plus powers) used at the right times, the goal is to either annihilate or repel the enemy forces.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
Dan Simms, USA Today, 4 June 2026
State security forces repelled attacks on their positions and launched investigations to identify those responsible for organizing, financing and carrying out the violence, police said.
—ABC News, 4 June 2026
Count on the strong aromatic oils of oregano (Origanum vulgare) to naturally repel aphids, spider mites, thrips, and beetles around your pepper plants.
—Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026
Through smart positioning and tactical moves (plus powers) used at the right times, the goal is to either annihilate or repel the enemy forces.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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Firstman’s debut directorial effort, Club Kid, shrewdly acknowledges those garish personality tics, which have both endeared and repulsed audiences.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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Anyone who has worked in or observed the media industry for the last couple of decades will recognize and be repulsed by nepo-baby Jay, who is undeniably villainous.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many of the crew members are disgusted by Vito's homosexuality, but Phil seems to take special exception to this revelation, going out of his way to demand Tony take him out and becoming violently angered even at the mere mention of Vito's name.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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Turner’s character, Declan O’Hara, is a righteous Irish journalist, also loquacious, also hot, but disgusted by ostentatious displays of wealth.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The more such institutions can resist integrating AI tools into every aspect of their operations, and instead incentivize human intellectual engagement even at the expense of efficiency, the better as far as patience is concerned.—
Christian B. Miller,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
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Specifically designed to be built quickly and efficiently, all walls are interconnected, and each structural element resists both wind and gravity loads.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 June 2026
Verb
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These triggers don’t usually sicken other kids, but in others, the abnormal immune response caused by the triggers leads to the development of these later allergic conditions, some of which are life long and can be life-threatening.—
Dr. Daniel DiGiacomo,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
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In the end, 48 infants across 17 states were sickened and hospitalized.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
5 June 2026
Verb
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Laura Loomer, an influential adviser to Trump, strongly opposes its closure.—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
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Told that the court ruled that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 does not require states to create congressional districts where nonwhite voters are in the majority, 49% of adults surveyed favored the ruling while 51% opposed it.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Still, one reason the Twins are playing better than expected is their ability to withstand myriad injuries and underperformance in the starting rotation.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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Holzinger has spent the past decade building a reputation as one of Europe’s most uncompromising performance artists—filling opera houses and theaters with motorbikes, helicopters, heavy machinery, nudity, and feats of endurance that test what a body can withstand.—
Lilyanna D'Amato,
ARTnews.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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