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repel

verb

ri-ˈpel How to pronounce repel (audio)
Definition of repelnext
1
as in to repulse
to drive back the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting

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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

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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

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 Most claims about cornstarch in gardening, such as repelling ants or boosting water retention, lack scientific evidence. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026 Reseeding helps block weed growth, repel lawn diseases, slow soil erosion, and strengthen growth in bare patches. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026 As mentioned above, Turkey’s deployment of TB2s in the country’s civil war in 2020 proved decisive, with these drones helping break the LNA’s siege on Tripoli and empowering GNA ground forces to repel Haftar’s fighters. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 This is more than a sophisticated arms race aimed at repelling threats and protecting borders. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
  1. repulse
  2. disgust
  3. resist
  4. sicken
  5. oppose
  6. withstand
Verb
  • His recent comments didn’t favor the Browns fanbase, and many Cleveland fans seem viscerally repulsed by him.
    — Andy Behrens, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Most Americans are repulsed by the core ideas of radical leftists.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of repulse
Verb
  • Most certainly disgust, on a profound level, for the current Israeli regime and its prime minister, Bibi Netanyahu.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Decent law-abiding Israelis living in Judea/Samaria are also disgusted by behavior of the few who violate civil law & Torah by violence & lawlessness.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of disgust
Verb
  • The actor resists framing her character as either predator or victim.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In fairness, the compulsion to go full-on Chicken Little is hard to resist.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of resist
Verb
  • Before the vaccine became available in 1963, measles sickened 3 million to 4 million people and led to about 500 deaths every year in the United States.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Last year, another Legionnaires' outbreak in Harlem killed seven people and sickened dozens of others.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of sicken
Verb
  • Activists who have opposed the closure said there has been no vehicle or pedestrian access to the building Wednesday.
    — MATTHEW DALY, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
  • La Opinión grew during this period, strengthening its commitment to civic journalism by opposing Proposition 187 and promoting citizenship and immigrant rights.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of oppose
Verb
  • Perhaps more importantly, though, the Broncos appear prepared to withstand a potential absence from Dobbins thanks to the addition of rookie Jonah Coleman, who drew rave reviews from the coaching staff for his performance in camp.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Plus, the dishwasher-safe utensils have ergonomic wooden handles and silicone tips that can withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
    — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of withstand

Browse Nearby Words

repeats
repel
repelled
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Cite this Entry

“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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