1
as in to repulse
to drive back
the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repel
According to the brand, the string lights must be installed within 10 feet of the ground to repel insects.
—
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 June 2025
But Israel, backed by the U.S. military and other partners, repelled those attacks and incurred little damage.
—Afshon Ostovar, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2025
Iran has issued a warning to the U.S. and its allies not to help Israel repel its retaliatory attacks.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Garlic and onions make good companion plants for peppers because their strong scent repels pests.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 June 2025
But Israel, backed by the U.S. military and other partners, repelled those attacks and incurred little damage.
—Afshon Ostovar, Foreign Affairs, 18 June 2025
Iran has issued a warning to the U.S. and its allies not to help Israel repel its retaliatory attacks.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Garlic and onions make good companion plants for peppers because their strong scent repels pests.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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The smell of cinnamon repulsed her, as did the sight of falling leaves, cornucopias, turkeys, cobwebs, ghosts, and that stupid cursive that had become the font of choice for selling pumpkin lattes and a vague notion of cozy well-being.—
Anelise Chen
June 3,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2025
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Kravitz was an assistant machine gunner who on March 6-7, 1951, repulsed with his platoon in Yangpyong, Korea, two Chinese probing attacks.—
Richard J. Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Flynt often disgusted the masses for offering one of the most graphic, and at times controversial, publications on newsstands.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2025
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We were disgusted by the ambience of this special occasion in our grandchildren’s lives.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 June 2025
Verb
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But the big challenge for Świątek, resisting a reversion to the baseline aggression when matches get stressful, also gets magnified on grass, where sets can disappear in minutes and errors rack up more easily and quickly.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
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The Supreme Court upheld that ruling and ordered the administration to begin the process of releasing him, but officials resisted bringing him back until he was indicted on the human smuggling charges in May.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Another outbreak in Alberta, Canada, has sickened 996 as of Thursday.—
DEVI SHASTRI,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
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Check your fridge Ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals have been recalled after a listeria outbreak sickened people in 13 states.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Within the classroom, the Trump policy has meant opposing curriculum that allows for more than a binary — male or female — expression of gender.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Adding this kind of power alongside Aaron Judge would create nightmares for opposing pitchers.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Few organisms can withstand the scalding waters, as one poor bison recently discovered.—
Monica Cull,
Discover Magazine,
4 July 2025
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To incorporate some functionality into your al fresco dining plans (or at least, to account for the youngest members of the guest list), the key is picking out a dining set that can withstand a little wear and tear.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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