Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

repel

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of repel

1 to drive back
  • the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
Synonyms of repel

beat off, fend (off), rebut, repulse, stave off, turn away, turn back
Words Related to repel

defy, fight, hold off, oppose, resist, stand off, withstand

deflect, ward (off)

rebuff, snub, spurn
Near Antonyms of repel

embrace, hail, welcome
2 to cause to feel disgust
  • the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me
Synonyms of repel

disgust, gross out, nauseate, put off, repulse, revolt, sicken, turn off
Words Related to repel

displease, distress

appall (also appal), disquiet, horrify

affront, insult, offend, outrage, shock
Phrases Synonymous with repel

turn one's stomach
Near Antonyms of repel

allure, attract, beguile, bewitch, captivate, charm, disarm, draw, enchant, entice, fascinate, lure, pull, seduce, tempt

delight, gratify, please, rejoice, tickle

enrapture, enthrall (or enthral), entrance

appeal (to), interest, intrigue
3 to refuse to give in to
  • repelled the temptation to stay out late and call in sick the next day
Synonyms of repel

buck, defy, fight, oppose, resist, withstand
Words Related to repel

battle, combat, contend (with)

challenge, contest, contradict, dispute

baffle, balk, foil, frustrate, thwart

check, counter, hinder, obstruct, stem
Antonyms of repel

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

Learn More about repel

  1. See words that rhyme with repel Dictionary: Definition of repel Spanish Central: Translation of repel Nglish: Translation of repel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of repel for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up repel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

wherewithal

means, resources, or money

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. cache BuzzFeed reports on Trump-Cohen documents.

  2. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  3. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games