REPELLING Synonyms: 149 Similar and Opposite Words

repelling 1 of 2

adjective

as in repellent

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repelling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of repel

as in repulsing

to drive back the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in disgusting

to cause to feel disgust the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of repelling

Verb

The running back, 25, had a career night in his first game with the Chiefs, tallying 173 rushing yards on 23 carries, seemingly repelling opponents which resulted in multiple Broncos missed tackles. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026 Most claims about cornstarch in gardening, such as repelling ants or boosting water retention, lack scientific evidence. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026 Eucalyptus Oil Eucalyptus oil works similarly to peppermint oil in repelling mice. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026 This is more than a sophisticated arms race aimed at repelling threats and protecting borders. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 The Build Forward Ukraine team was also aware of Irpin and the special role the city had played in the dark early days, repelling the Russian ground offensive aimed at taking Kyiv, 14 miles south. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026 The meager platoon was a consolation from Lord Borros, who claims to be too busy repelling the Dornish to come to his queen’s aid. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 July 2026 We Baltimoreans treasure the role the 1814 battle played in repelling the mighty British forces, which were forced to abandon their siege of Fort McHenry. — Michel A. Ibrahim, Baltimore Sun, 25 July 2026 Argentina’s wily, extroverted goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, was its standout performer, repelling some, spilling others. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for repelling

Adjective

Along with the umbrellas to block the sun, people are equipped with mosquito repellant, water bottles, portable phone chargers and tripods.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
Ford coated restroom surfaces with graffiti-repellant materials.

— Jamie L. LaReau, Freep.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of repellent

Verb

And that’s something Erivo is more than capable of delivering while resisting the temptation to showboat, even when the writing lets her down.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Vlasac is also charged with one count of resisting an officer with violence and one count of battery on an officer, firefighter or EMT, according to online jail records.

— KC Baker, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of resisting

Adjective

The play’s main character, Mack the Knife, is simultaneously attractive and repulsive, and the role works best when neither of those two sides is neglected.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Sport is full of bad actors expediting the death of discourse with repulsive antics.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of repulsive

Verb

The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.

— Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026

Definition of appalling

Verb

If Burrow can stay healthy and give the Bengals some early leads, Dexter Lawrence and the rest of that defensive front will have their opportunities to get after opposing QBs.

— Dan Pompei, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Americans appear increasingly alarmed by the technology,with 7 in 10 polled in March opposing local construction of data centers that power AI technology, according to a Gallup survey.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of opposing

Adjective

Decide for yourself whether that’s a bold indicator of English football’s superiority over the rest of the world, or a revolting symbol of the bloated and vulgar behemoth that the game has become.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Their dynamic is instead a cudgel to beat the film into an even more revolting shape.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026

Definition of revolting

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repelling

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“Repelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repelling. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of repelling

adjective

verb

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