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
Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The chemical is believed to work in a number of ways—jamming smell detectors so that mosquitoes cannot recognize a human or animal target, conferring a bitter taste that mosquitoes detect on their feet, or mimicking the smell of natural mosquito-repelling plants.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 May 2026
At the store, it can be found in powders, aerosol solutions, sprays and treated clothing, which is especially effective in repelling and killing insects and ticks.
—Gavin Escott, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Companion plant gardening is a natural and organic technique for repelling pests and growing healthier plants.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2026
How to use pest-repelling plants effectively outdoors Placement matters as much as the plants themselves.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Other deterrents act by repelling insects and disease organisms.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
French varieties, like Durango Mixture French marigold, are the most effective at repelling mosquitoes from mid-spring through late summer.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 6 May 2026
Tristan Jarry got his first start of the series, repelling 34 pucks.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
However, Hawaii Forest & Trail has permission to take small groups to the summit on a five-hour Hidden Craters Hike that includes repelling into and scrambling through a large lava tube.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The chemical is believed to work in a number of ways—jamming smell detectors so that mosquitoes cannot recognize a human or animal target, conferring a bitter taste that mosquitoes detect on their feet, or mimicking the smell of natural mosquito-repelling plants.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 May 2026
At the store, it can be found in powders, aerosol solutions, sprays and treated clothing, which is especially effective in repelling and killing insects and ticks.
—Gavin Escott, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Companion plant gardening is a natural and organic technique for repelling pests and growing healthier plants.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 May 2026
How to use pest-repelling plants effectively outdoors Placement matters as much as the plants themselves.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Other deterrents act by repelling insects and disease organisms.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
French varieties, like Durango Mixture French marigold, are the most effective at repelling mosquitoes from mid-spring through late summer.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 6 May 2026
Tristan Jarry got his first start of the series, repelling 34 pucks.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repelling
Adjective
-
That goes for fabric softener, coffee grounds, bay leaves, and sonic repellant devices, which have no scientific basis.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
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Try Placing Mint Near the Feeder The smell of mint is repellent to ants.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
4 June 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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The consequences of disgusting one’s wife, whether or not one agrees with her premise, could be enormous.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
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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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Victor Rivas, 40, sustained injuries to his arms and was treated at a hospital before he was booked into jail on allegations of driving while intoxicated, resisting arrest and being a fugitive from adjacent Jefferson Parish, Louisiana State Police said.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
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Appleberry also faces misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing a peace officer or emergency medical technician and battery, as well as allegations stemming from a 2023 assault case involving a weapon.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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This provision is equally repulsive.—
Austin Elias-de Jesus,
New Yorker,
3 June 2026
-
And Mary’s electric, palpably physical pursuit of justice becomes even more crucial in the final act, after a grotesque display of performative mockery toward Māori culture fractures the last remnants of civility present amid one of Cole’s lavish-yet-repulsive gatherings.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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If the goal kick is not taken before the end of that countdown, a corner kick will be awarded to the opposing team.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
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To date, more than 5,500 filmmakers, actors and other Hollywood professionals have signed an open letter opposing the deal.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Babies and toddlers will put just about anything in their mouths, including objects that adults find profoundly revolting.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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The revolting legacy of the pedophile trafficker Jeffrey Epstein continues to unmask the obstacles to finding truth.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repelling. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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