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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repelling
Heather Bien, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
Almost all companions on this list use rosemary for its strong scent as a natural deterrent, but onions come with a repelling smell of their own.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
Both types of down do a good job keeping you warm and repelling the elements.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
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
Verb
They're known for repelling a wide variety of pests including the potato beetle, nematodes, whiteflies, and thrips.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
Almost all companions on this list use rosemary for its strong scent as a natural deterrent, but onions come with a repelling smell of their own.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
Both types of down do a good job keeping you warm and repelling the elements.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repelling
Adjective
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Bamboo-viscose is also naturally repellent to odors and allergens, making this set a great choice for people with sensitive skin, too.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
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Their strong scent repels certain bugs like flies and mosquitos—even wasps—on top of the repellent qualities of rosemary.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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Discharge Papers • Aw, The Pitt is back and happy to be disgusting again!—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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She was subsequently arrested on suspicion of animal abandonment and resisting arrest.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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The suspect, a 35-year-old man from Toledo, Ohio, was arrested on charges of fleeing and eluding and resisting and obstructing.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That cage, the magical but also eerie Thrushcross Grange, is a sight to behold—an epic, retina-searing, sometimes repulsive, consistently jaw-dropping palace, meticulously constructed by production designer Suzie Davies.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
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Seven glass bottles had been sitting in storage for many years, and one held precious, though repulsive, evidence of a medicine only mentioned in textual sources.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The Hondurans had a chance to tie the score late when Nielsen spun down an opposing player in the box and was called for a foul.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Before the Red Sox signed Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million contract this past winter, the All-Star lefty became renowned for his ability to squash opposing rallies by drawing key double plays in big spots.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For him, the most revolting thing about his life in Iran was its pervasive stink.—
Amir Ahmadi Arian,
The Dial,
15 Jan. 2026
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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 2 Mar. 2026.
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