as in repellent
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in repulsing
to drive back
the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disgusting
to cause to feel disgust
the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in resisting
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 repelling
Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
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
This polarization means even post-Trump, Democrats may cling to divisive issues like defund-the-police echoes or aggressive cultural wars, repelling the non-ideological public weary of extremes.
—Nafees Alam, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
Among the tasks for the troops were repelling migrants and, at least in one instance, troops used tear gas on a group of Venezuelan migrants at the border.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
One raid saw masked federal agents repelling from Black Hawk helicopters and wrecking an apartment building.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
In the first episode, the recruits wasted no time in repelling from a helicopter hovering in the air.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
Essential Oils Some of the most effective oils for repelling rats include peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, and lavender.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
Don’t forget to stock up on these mosquito-repelling bracelets before your next camping trip or tropical-climate adventure.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
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
This polarization means even post-Trump, Democrats may cling to divisive issues like defund-the-police echoes or aggressive cultural wars, repelling the non-ideological public weary of extremes.
—Nafees Alam, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025
Among the tasks for the troops were repelling migrants and, at least in one instance, troops used tear gas on a group of Venezuelan migrants at the border.
—Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
One raid saw masked federal agents repelling from Black Hawk helicopters and wrecking an apartment building.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
In the first episode, the recruits wasted no time in repelling from a helicopter hovering in the air.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
Essential Oils Some of the most effective oils for repelling rats include peppermint, eucalyptus, citronella, and lavender.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
Don’t forget to stock up on these mosquito-repelling bracelets before your next camping trip or tropical-climate adventure.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repelling
Adjective
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Depositphotos Holy sun-repellant spray, Batman!—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The strip of hair running from between his chest muscles down into his rough-leather pants was both sexy and repellant, alluring and indecent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Booth was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, assault and three counts of resisting, assaulting or obstructing police.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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She was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree child abuse, felonious assault and assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer, investigators said.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Not only are the views, of course, often repulsive, but the actual form of argument is not argument… That’s what interests me, that even the most basic principles that people have worked on for 2,000 years to establish what a fact means…gone.—
Josh Zajdman,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
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Buffalo Ranch Popcorn This flavor concept is a beautiful fantasy and repulsive reality.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Super PACs supporting Andrew Cuomo and opposing Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral race have raised over $40 million, with millions coming from prominent billionaires and family dynasties, according to election filings.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
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Judge Ellis is overseeing a lawsuit brought by news organizations and protesters who allege that federal agents used excessive force during demonstrations opposing immigration enforcement actions.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This revolting behavior is not limited to the media.—
Brooke L. Rollins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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The many physically revolting and morally repellent acts that ensue amount to little but a gross-out joke.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But Montgomery also insisted that Billy get a more complex backstory that helped explain his repugnant behavior, especially toward Max and Lucas in the second season.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
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But Rieff also invokes sickness in another sense, denoting that which is morally repugnant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Flu season was particularly brutal last year, sickening at least 47 million Americans, hospitalizing 610,000 and killing 27,000, according to the CDC.—
Liz Szabo,
NBC news,
25 Oct. 2025
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The illness spreads through the tribe, sickening one of its leaders and creating division and disorder.—
Maggie Doherty,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repelling. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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