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
Treat clothes and other gear with products that contain permethrin to repel ticks.
—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
The governor of Tyumen Region, Alexander Moor, earlier said that Russian air defences repelled a drone attack on the oil refinery.
—
Ron Popeski,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
These plants either repel slugs and snails or distract the pests from your garden crops.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2026
Capers called in air support to repel the ambush.
—
ABC News,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
The governor of Tyumen Region, Alexander Moor, earlier said that Russian air defences repelled a drone attack on the oil refinery.
—
Ron Popeski,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
These plants either repel slugs and snails or distract the pests from your garden crops.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2026
Capers called in air support to repel the ambush.
—
ABC News,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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Plenty of people bought it, plenty were repulsed by it.
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Spearmint and peppermint plants are particularly effective insect repellents, but many other plants in the mint family can also be used to repulse flies, including pennyroyal and lemon balm.
Verb
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Kim The call left Kim Grindell disgusted, furious and wracked with guilt.
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Many of the crew members are disgusted by Vito's homosexuality, but Phil seems to take special exception to this revelation, going out of his way to demand Tony take him out and becoming violently angered even at the mere mention of Vito's name.
Verb
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The Ground Above, her follow-up to 2022’s Weather Alive, resists the tacit assumption that an artist’s catalogue should walk a straight line.
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Ask for the dressing on the side, or resist ordering the extra ranch dip or heavily marinated meat.
Verb
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These pathogens can sicken swimmers with diseases of the skin, eyes, ears, and respiratory tract.
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But screwworms sicken all kinds of warm-blooded mammals, including, less commonly, humans.
Verb
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But Newsom disagreed, and the opposing sides of the measure failed to reach a compromise ahead of the Thursday deadline to withdrawal a measure.
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The prospect of the wealthy fleeing the state is among the reasons that prominent Democrats such as Newsom opposed it, given California’s budget being so reliant on the state’s most prosperous residents.
Verb
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Hanging Lake Trail in Glenwood Canyon CBS The project, led by a partnership of federal, state and local organizations, was designed to create a trail capable of withstanding future disasters while preserving the experience that has made Hanging Lake one of Colorado's most popular destinations.
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Engineers will focus on verifying how the system’s materials withstand high thermal stress and radiation over time.
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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