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
It’s dotted with wacky indie comedy, like the opening scene in which Buddy, Les, and a school principal discuss whether Les is repelled by vaginas, or Buddy and Les’s morning ritual of standing on their front lawn and playing the bagpipes.
—
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 June 2025
Bird feathers can move or repel water, make or mask sound, create wondrous displays of color or impressive camouflage, all while maintaining a light weight, softness and warmth.
—Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025
Title 10 allows the president to deploy the National Guard as necessary to repel invasion, suppress rebellion or execute laws, which means the National Guard reports to the president rather than the governor.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 9 June 2025
Marigolds, on the other hand, while widely used in vegetable gardens, don't necessarily repel mosquitoes.
—Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 June 2025
Bird feathers can move or repel water, make or mask sound, create wondrous displays of color or impressive camouflage, all while maintaining a light weight, softness and warmth.
—Ian Rose, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2025
Title 10 allows the president to deploy the National Guard as necessary to repel invasion, suppress rebellion or execute laws, which means the National Guard reports to the president rather than the governor.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 9 June 2025
Marigolds, on the other hand, while widely used in vegetable gardens, don't necessarily repel mosquitoes.
—Arkansas Online, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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The smell of cinnamon repulsed her, as did the sight of falling leaves, cornucopias, turkeys, cobwebs, ghosts, and that stupid cursive that had become the font of choice for selling pumpkin lattes and a vague notion of cozy well-being.—
Anelise Chen
June 3,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2025
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Kravitz was an assistant machine gunner who on March 6-7, 1951, repulsed with his platoon in Yangpyong, Korea, two Chinese probing attacks.—
Richard J. Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Flynt often disgusted the masses for offering one of the most graphic, and at times controversial, publications on newsstands.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
22 June 2025
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We were disgusted by the ambience of this special occasion in our grandchildren’s lives.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 June 2025
Verb
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Texas is big—two hundred and sixty-nine thousand square miles—and has resisted canvassing efforts for decades.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
23 June 2025
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Founders who micromanage, resist feedback or avoid tough decisions often stall progress—not because the business lacks potential, but because the leader hasn’t adapted to what growth really requires.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Another outbreak in Alberta, Canada, has sickened 996 as of Thursday.—
DEVI SHASTRI,
Chicago Tribune,
21 June 2025
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Check your fridge Ready-to-eat chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals have been recalled after a listeria outbreak sickened people in 13 states.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Within the classroom, the Trump policy has meant opposing curriculum that allows for more than a binary — male or female — expression of gender.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Adding this kind of power alongside Aaron Judge would create nightmares for opposing pitchers.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The Venus lander was made to withstand the extremely harsh conditions of Venus' hostile atmosphere, ESA experts have said, and was designed to take 300 G's of acceleration and 100 atmospheres of pressure.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
23 June 2025
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These included rules for building homes higher off the ground to avoid future flooding and using stronger construction methods to withstand extreme weather events.—
Ivis García,
The Conversation,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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