as in repellent
Related Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Ways To Prevent Mice Scents are good at repelling mice in the yard and around the house.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
The union did get a win in repelling Canada Post’s attempt to implement dynamic routing in the urban unit and load leveling across both segments.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
Brightly colored marigold flowers complement the shades of developing bell and hot pepper fruit, but peppers also benefit from marigolds’ pest-repelling properties.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2025
Let potential daters know about your quirks (the kind that attract some people while repelling others) on your profile and on first dates.
—Judd B. Kessler, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
Made from a heavyweight British wool cavalry twill with natural water-repelling qualities, it’s guaranteed to drape.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
It’s made of recycled nylon and Spandex with a DWR water-repelling finish, so feel free to be a little tough on it.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025
Indeed, an array of small, inexpensive weapon systems holds great promise for repelling a Chinese amphibious landing.
—Zack Cooper, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
Both types of down do a good job keeping you warm and repelling the elements.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Ways To Prevent Mice Scents are good at repelling mice in the yard and around the house.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
The union did get a win in repelling Canada Post’s attempt to implement dynamic routing in the urban unit and load leveling across both segments.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
Brightly colored marigold flowers complement the shades of developing bell and hot pepper fruit, but peppers also benefit from marigolds’ pest-repelling properties.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2025
Let potential daters know about your quirks (the kind that attract some people while repelling others) on your profile and on first dates.
—Judd B. Kessler, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
Made from a heavyweight British wool cavalry twill with natural water-repelling qualities, it’s guaranteed to drape.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
It’s made of recycled nylon and Spandex with a DWR water-repelling finish, so feel free to be a little tough on it.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025
Indeed, an array of small, inexpensive weapon systems holds great promise for repelling a Chinese amphibious landing.
—Zack Cooper, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repelling
Adjective
-
Try Placing Mint Near the Feeder The smell of mint is repellent to ants.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
-
This 20 percent-off Patagonia Women’s Houdini Jacket is weather-repellant and folds down into a hand-sized pouch.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Discharge Papers • Aw, The Pitt is back and happy to be disgusting again!—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The driver of the car, identified as 36-year-old Amber O'Neal, was taken to the hospital and then booked into the Jefferson County Jail on unrelated, outstanding warrants for third-degree assault, vehicular eluding, and resisting arrest.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
More effective diplomacy, as demonstrated by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron at the same forum, conveys the same message about resisting bullying through measured language that preserves dignity and institutional respect.—
George Skelton,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Only Birdie finds this plan repulsive, knowing this would be the ruin of her beloved niece.—
Oline Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Or what would be attractive or repulsive to a researcher.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In opposing the defense’s motion, prosecutors maintain that preventing jurors from hearing or seeing this material would undermine the judicial process.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Infantino’s comments opposing bans on national teams comes amid pressure for FIFA to take action against Israel.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For him, the most revolting thing about his life in Iran was its pervasive stink.—
Amir Ahmadi Arian,
The Dial,
15 Jan. 2026
-
This revolting behavior is not limited to the media.—
Brooke L. Rollins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repelling. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
