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
Popping into a camp full of allies newly wary of the 428-year-old vampire in their midst, Regis begins by clearing up the misconception that he can be repelled by garlic, then drops a line about Jaskier’s blood smelling good.
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Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Scientists have also proposed that stabilimenta shield spiders from harsh ultraviolet rays, convey water for the arachnids to drink, or can either visually attract or repel prey.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2025
The Ukrainian General Staff said the military was repelling attacks in the Kupyansk area, and that two settlements north of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region had been retaken over the past several days.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Not to mention, the suede upper is protected with a 3M Scotchguard treatment that repels water, so you’re quite literally covered for any rain showers or dirty puddles.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Scientists have also proposed that stabilimenta shield spiders from harsh ultraviolet rays, convey water for the arachnids to drink, or can either visually attract or repel prey.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2025
The Ukrainian General Staff said the military was repelling attacks in the Kupyansk area, and that two settlements north of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region had been retaken over the past several days.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Not to mention, the suede upper is protected with a 3M Scotchguard treatment that repels water, so you’re quite literally covered for any rain showers or dirty puddles.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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Carol is repulsed by how regressive this sounds and nearly loses her temper for an alien-shaking third time in the episode.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
7 Nov. 2025
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This is a movie designed to repulse as much attract, and one in which its sheer messiness, its chaos-Muppet energy and its mania gets you uncomfortably close to its unraveling main character’s mindset.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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They are hurt and they are harmed by the article, and also they are disgusted by some of the things that were said in the article.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Unlike Jones, who has not been charged with any crime — disgusting as his texts are — James Is under federal indictment for mortgage and bank fraud.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Patriot resists easy characterization chiefly because of Conrad’s writing, which gives his characters strange rhythms and, sometimes, even stranger verbiage.—
Claire McNear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
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Will you be allowed to bring in your own people, or will the Monforts — owner Dick Monfort and his son Walker, the executive vice president — resist your efforts?—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In total, the outbreak—linked to prepared pasta sold at grocery stores across the country—is known to have sickened 27 people in 18 states.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
5 Nov. 2025
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The crash has drawn a range of reactions — from conspiracy theories that suggest a government plot to sicken people to serious responses from people who oppose experimenting on animals.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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How many voters supported, opposed Measure G In Nevada County, the largest portion of the library district, voters supported Measure G with by a 7-to-3 margin.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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Her sentiments seemed to oppose the ongoing family drama amid reports of tension within her extended family, including her son Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Wind turbines use durable, long fiberglass blades (made of fiberglass bound with strong epoxy resin) to withstand the harshest elements.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
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The geography of real climate risk—which includes not just the effects of weather and disasters, but also the ability of communities to withstand them—looks roughly similar to the geographies of poverty and race.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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