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
These fabrics are known for repelling dust mites, mold, mildew, and other allergens much more effectively than traditional down.
—
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 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
Victorian audiences were repelled by Henrik Ibsen’s fatally attractive newlywed who appears to have it all — the fancy house, the doting husband — only to be violently bored.
—Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
They are made with a durable nylon and spandex blend that repels water and stretches two ways.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 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
Victorian audiences were repelled by Henrik Ibsen’s fatally attractive newlywed who appears to have it all — the fancy house, the doting husband — only to be violently bored.
—Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
They are made with a durable nylon and spandex blend that repels water and stretches two ways.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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Of course, one major qualifier for this is the fact there are plenty of reasons for even moderate Democrats to be repulsed at the idea of electing Cuomo.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
23 Oct. 2025
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His family, dependent on his income and repulsed at what has become of their son, must then determine what is to be done with poor Gregor.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Unlike Jones, who has not been charged with any crime — disgusting as his texts are — James Is under federal indictment for mortgage and bank fraud.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
-
People are disgusted with Israel’s response.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Epstein has resisted the obvious move to monetize it.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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The family—an ambivalent institution bar none—shapes us, and yet our individuality resists that shaping.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One of those flight attendants spoke about what happened after a 2023 flight in which crew members and passengers were sickened by fumes.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Oct. 2025
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Salmonella is a genus of bacteria that can sicken humans.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Kentucky Republican Rand Paul has opposed the legislation on multiple occasions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
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The group exhausts and irritates opposing pitchers.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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First, physical hardware must be resilient enough to withstand extreme weather, temperatures, and impacts, with the goal of reducing the need for humans to enter sites for repairs.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
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Lilac While traditional lilacs struggle in Southern climates, some varieties can withstand the heat of warmer regions.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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