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

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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

Perhaps the kid is resisting gendered socialization itself, the whole ascent to physical adulthood and its attendant adolescent affronts.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Prince Kaka of High Point, was arrested him and charged him with felony breaking and entering, felony larceny after breaking and entering, and resisting arrest, officials said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of resisting

Adjective

However, all this may as well go out the window the further the film goes on, and the more Darya’s search for answers about her past plays out in the form of generative digital regurgitations with repulsive textures.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
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

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

On Sunday night, this 36-year-old didn’t look a day over 27, made possible by the infusion of the run game and the respect opposing defenses now need to pay to the line of scrimmage.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2026
In addition to demonstrations and online campaigns, the coalition helped organize an open letter of industry professionals opposing the transaction, including JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, David Fincher and Denis Villeneuve.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 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.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repelling. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of repelling

adjective

verb

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