REPEL Synonyms: 95 Similar and Opposite Words

repel

verb

ri-ˈpel

Definition of repel

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

as in to disgust

to cause to feel disgust the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 This is more than a sophisticated arms race aimed at repelling threats and protecting borders. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 The yarn itself is hydrophobic and will repel water, while a low-slung, gator-like cuff likewise denies access to debris. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 At least two of the posts Ament shared referenced using bacon to repel or keep away Muslims. — Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 25 Aug. 2026 The drawback of using essential oils to repel flies is that their efficacy is short-lived. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel

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

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
Allie, in particular, is disgusted by the men who treat her as functionally interchangeable with any other available, able-bodied woman.

— Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of disgust

Verb

Its rugged silicone exterior is IP67-rated to resist water, dust, and drops, while the flexible utility strap easily clips onto backpacks, handlebars, or coolers.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
Lee and his Burning co-writer Oh Jung-mi resist what might have been the first instinct of many filmmakers by refusing to make Ye-ji and Sang-woo overly patronizing rich jerks.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of resist

Verb

In July, Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled all iceberg lettuce sourced in Mexico from 27 states following a cyclospora outbreak that has sickened 18,445 people since the beginning of May.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026
Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to algae blooms that can kill fish and sicken people.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of sicken

Verb

In Florida, a federal court allowed FIFA to intervene and oppose UEFA’s discovery request, and its opposition is due by the end of the month.

— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026
The superintendent, Chris Ragsdale, compared people who oppose book banning to people who support human trafficking.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 4 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

Style

“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of repel

verb

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