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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of repel
Poland is preparing to repel a Russian invasion, including a plan to train every adult male in the country to be ready for war.
—
Rob Schmitz, NPR, 12 May 2025
Using the same method as with your car, very gently wipe computer, phone, tablet, and TV screens to reduce static electricity and repel future dust.
8.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2025
There are a few factors driving that interest; Greenland occupies a unique geopolitical position, sitting between the US and Europe, which could help repel any potential attack from Russia, experts have said.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
The lenses are scratch-resistant and treated to repel water, dirt, and oil.
—Lauren Wingenroth, SELF, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Rob Schmitz, NPR, 12 May 2025
Using the same method as with your car, very gently wipe computer, phone, tablet, and TV screens to reduce static electricity and repel future dust.
8.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2025
There are a few factors driving that interest; Greenland occupies a unique geopolitical position, sitting between the US and Europe, which could help repel any potential attack from Russia, experts have said.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
The lenses are scratch-resistant and treated to repel water, dirt, and oil.
—Lauren Wingenroth, SELF, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
-
The obvious solution—getting a proper job—is, for Jack, a non-starter: conventional work repulses him.—
Peter C. Baker,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
-
Image In the novel, Pabst starts off physically repulsed by the mere idea of working for the Reich, but gradually comes around.—
David Segal,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
He isn’t disgusted by sexuality, just innocent and uninterested.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2025
-
In the book, Cruise and Bateman share an apartment building, a fact that Bateman appears at times both delighted and disgusted by.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The six others are reportedly facing charges of disorderly conduct, and one of them is also charged with resisting arrest, per My Central Jersey.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
18 May 2025
-
In total, 42 people were arrested on charges including animal fighting and resisting arrest without violence.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
Verb
-
Fresh & Ready Foods is voluntarily recalling numerous products, after at least 10 people in the U.S. have been sickened in a listeria outbreak linked to its ready-to-eat food products, federal officials said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2025
-
Climate change could fuel the spread of a fungus that can sicken and even kill people, as well as threaten crops, according to a study posted on the preprint server Research Square.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
6 May 2025
Verb
-
Some suffragists argued that immigrants opposed suffrage for women and prohibition, and therefore immigrant voting posed a threat to their agenda.—
Time,
Time,
19 May 2025
-
In California, 59 percent of voters opposed cash reparations in a 2023 poll by the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.—
Laurel Rosenhall,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
Last year, adding to their arsenal, the aquarium received several elkhorn corals from Honduras that appeared to withstand hotter-than-normal temperatures.—
Max Chesnes,
Sun Sentinel,
18 May 2025
-
Operational resilience is the ability of a building to withstand, recover from and adapt to these threats without compromising function or safety.—
Dan Drogman,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share