1
as in to repulse
to drive back
the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of repel
Kyrgyzstan had managed to defer or repel past attempts by Moscow to secure the adoption of a Russian-style foreign agent law.
—
Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025
Buy Now 08 of 14 'Nick' by Michael Farris Smith
Nick Carraway, the narrator of The Great Gatsby, is an enigmatic character who is both attracted to and repelled by the glittering excesses of the Jazz Age, much like Fitzgerald himself.
—Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
An orange peel has less than 1.2% of the compound limonene, which does repel bugs, while essential oil is more than 90% limonene.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2025
Results suggested this impact was due to the plants creating a physical barrier that disrupted the movement of cucumber beetles, rather than any effects of repelling them or attracting beneficial insects.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025
Buy Now 08 of 14 'Nick' by Michael Farris Smith
Nick Carraway, the narrator of The Great Gatsby, is an enigmatic character who is both attracted to and repelled by the glittering excesses of the Jazz Age, much like Fitzgerald himself.
—Danielle Teller, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
An orange peel has less than 1.2% of the compound limonene, which does repel bugs, while essential oil is more than 90% limonene.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2025
Results suggested this impact was due to the plants creating a physical barrier that disrupted the movement of cucumber beetles, rather than any effects of repelling them or attracting beneficial insects.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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Still, assuming that Harvard goes ahead with a legal battle to repulse the Administration’s assault, its actions could have important ramifications not just for other universities but also for broader efforts to resist Trump’s encroachments.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
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After a disastrous trip to Mexico where Irina appeared repulsed by everything Zack did, the couple split and Zack went crawling back to Bliss.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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All of them disgust me to be quite honest with you. KARL: All right.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2025
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Vara, like many of her readers, is both enchanted by the web and disgusted with the companies that control it.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The blades are crafted from alloy steel that maintains its sharpness over time and resists rust.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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September’s fiesta is in gratitude to soldiers who resisted a siege on the town by French soldiers over the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, ensuring the region remained a Basque community.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The pollution morphed into a thick, acidic mix that sickened nearly half the town's residents.—
Alejandra Borunda,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2025
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The measles outbreak, which could go on for months, has now spread to Kansas and Ohio after sickening more than 370 in Texas and New Mexico.—
Michael Casey and Matthew Perrone,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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His remarks are at odds with the state's GOP, as California Senate oppose the bill, arguing that the legislation prioritizes political agendas over the safety and security of California residents.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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One of them is his refusal to recognize Russia’s unilateral annexation of Crimea in 2014 – a step that Mr. Trump is demanding of him, and that European leaders also oppose.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Because it’s loomed, the rug is more durable than standard styles, able to withstand a lot of use without suffering wear and tear.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2025
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The Yankees have more resources to withstand injuries than most major-league clubs.—
John Perrotto,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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