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
Popping into a camp full of allies newly wary of the 428-year-old vampire in their midst, Regis begins by clearing up the misconception that he can be repelled by garlic, then drops a line about Jaskier’s blood smelling good.
—
Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Scientists have also proposed that stabilimenta shield spiders from harsh ultraviolet rays, convey water for the arachnids to drink, or can either visually attract or repel prey.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2025
The Ukrainian General Staff said the military was repelling attacks in the Kupyansk area, and that two settlements north of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region had been retaken over the past several days.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Not to mention, the suede upper is protected with a 3M Scotchguard treatment that repels water, so you’re quite literally covered for any rain showers or dirty puddles.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Scientists have also proposed that stabilimenta shield spiders from harsh ultraviolet rays, convey water for the arachnids to drink, or can either visually attract or repel prey.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2025
The Ukrainian General Staff said the military was repelling attacks in the Kupyansk area, and that two settlements north of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region had been retaken over the past several days.
—Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Not to mention, the suede upper is protected with a 3M Scotchguard treatment that repels water, so you’re quite literally covered for any rain showers or dirty puddles.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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For reasons that are quite possibly too unbearable to contemplate, a large group of American voters was not repulsed by such slander—they were actually aroused by it—and our politics have not been the same.—
Jeffrey Goldberg,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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Nicole is the kind of wife who moves out of her father’s home into her husband’s home, and who has been taught to be repulsed by the mushroom spores covering her body, just like all the women in their community.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In 2017, the Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine went to a team of English and French researchers who used advanced brain-scanning technology to measure the extent to which some people are disgusted by cheese.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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Anyone who believes that our access to essential medicines should be based on science, not political ideology, should be disgusted by these legal attacks.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Patriot resists easy characterization chiefly because of Conrad’s writing, which gives his characters strange rhythms and, sometimes, even stranger verbiage.—
Claire McNear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
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Will you be allowed to bring in your own people, or will the Monforts — owner Dick Monfort and his son Walker, the executive vice president — resist your efforts?—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Most of those sickened were not vaccinated, and two children died.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
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Just thinking about it totally sickens me.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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How many voters supported, opposed Measure G In Nevada County, the largest portion of the library district, voters supported Measure G with by a 7-to-3 margin.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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Her sentiments seemed to oppose the ongoing family drama amid reports of tension within her extended family, including her son Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Apart from these severe conditions, Zimmer says outdoor units rarely need to be covered, as they're designed for outdoor use and built to withstand such conditions.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Jan. 2026
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Taiwan should deepen its reserves of ammunition, energy, and food to withstand a prolonged blockade—measured in months, not weeks.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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