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

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

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 We Baltimoreans treasure the role the 1814 battle played in repelling the mighty British forces, which were forced to abandon their siege of Fort McHenry. — Michel A. Ibrahim, Baltimore Sun, 25 July 2026 Ukrainian air defenses were also working to repel a Russian attack in Ukraine's capital of Kyiv on Friday morning, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 24 July 2026 The filmmakers found that even mentioning her bloodline repelled potential subjects from agreeing to be interviewed. — Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 22 July 2026 Some plants naturally repel squash bugs, while others attract predatory insects that feed on squash bug eggs and nymphs. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 20 July 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
  • Philly may be shedding its second-fiddle status, but it remains entirely repulsed by frauds and underachievers.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • Plenty of people bought it, plenty were repulsed by it.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Definition of repulse
Verb
  • In 2017, the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine went to a team of French researchers who used advanced brain-scanning technology to measure the extent to which some people are disgusted by fromage.
    — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026
  • Kim The call left Kim Grindell disgusted, furious and wracked with guilt.
    — Rich Schapiro, NBC news, 20 June 2026
Definition of disgust
Verb
  • Once there, give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adapt to the darkness and resist checking your phone.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The barrel-leg silhouette gives them a sleeker shape, while the mid-weight fabric feels soft and resists wrinkles.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of resist
Verb
  • In March, Kim was transferred to a different department to help deal with a local measles outbreak that sickened seven people in the county, five of them children.
    — Kate Wells, NPR, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Congress granted veterans who served at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune an exception because of severe groundwater contamination that sickened thousands of veterans and their families who served and lived on the base between 1953 and 1987.
    — Nicole Borman, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of sicken
Verb
  • Some farmers cheered the change, including the industry’s principle advocacy organization, but at least some growers oppose it.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
  • Polling by the independent Levada Center shows that support for the actions of the Russian armed forces sits above 65 percent nationwide, with less than 25 percent of the population opposed.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
Definition of oppose
Verb
  • If history is any guide, before the restrictions go into effect, the SAFE for Kids Act may have to withstand lawsuits, similar to those filed in other states that have aimed to crack down on social media.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Investing in overall lawn health can help homeowners cultivate a more resilient lawn fit to withstand extreme weather.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 1 Aug. 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 5 Aug. 2026.

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