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
And many individual members said they were repelled by the character Chalamet played.
—
Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
The front glass also includes an anti-smudge coating, fluorine, a material that repels grease and moisture.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 16 Mar. 2026
The attack took place less than 24 hours after the Nigerian military repelled attacks by militants on the outskirts of Maiduguri, in what some residents say could have been planned as a distraction.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
This occurs when decomposing organic matter or soil fungi form a waxy, water-resistant coating around soil particles, repelling water rather than absorb it.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
The front glass also includes an anti-smudge coating, fluorine, a material that repels grease and moisture.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 16 Mar. 2026
The attack took place less than 24 hours after the Nigerian military repelled attacks by militants on the outskirts of Maiduguri, in what some residents say could have been planned as a distraction.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
This occurs when decomposing organic matter or soil fungi form a waxy, water-resistant coating around soil particles, repelling water rather than absorb it.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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Sigmund Freud believed that every crush has a strand of disgust, that people are attracted to what repulses them.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
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Cilantro, a polarizing herb that’s either adored in Mexican, Southeast Asian, and Indian cuisines, or repulsed by those who detect a nauseating soapy taste.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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He looks staggered at first, then disgusted, and, finally, proud.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
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These killings—and dozens of other attempts and near misses in many countries—have disgusted decent people and embarrassed even many who hold otherwise anti-Jewish views.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Against a backdrop of social and geopolitical change, amid profound transformation both in Georgia and across the South Caucasus, their stories reveal how the will to dream, to resist, and to love becomes its own quiet blaze.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
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Serious worm farmers will want to invest in some worm food to ensure their nightcrawlers get the perfect balance of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals to create a plump, tasty bait that no self-respecting fish can resist.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Gardners were on a family vacation when Miller Gardner died and Brett Gardner and others were sickened.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
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In February, the agency said 27 people were sickened in an outbreak of an unknown gastrointestinal illness on board a luxury cruise ship, the Regent Seven Seas, which was sailing from Miami to Honolulu.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Among those opposing his release was Janet Kovacich’s brother, Gary Gregoire, Tellman said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
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The decision by Republicans to isolate the language on voter ID, part of days of rolling debate on the SAVE America Act, was spurred by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) insisting that Democrats do not oppose that specific requirement and have backed it in the past.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The company also claimed that all components – turbines, foundations, and offshore substations – are appropriately designed to withstand all anticipated weather conditions, including extreme weather.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
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The classic style has withstood the test of time and its modern iteration is no different.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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