repelling 1 of 2

adjective

as in repellent

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repelling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of repel
1
as in repulsing
to drive back the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting

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2
as in disgusting
to cause to feel disgust the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me

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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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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 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 During the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–88, which Khomeini prolonged for several years after repelling the Iraqi invasion, a disproportionate burden fell on Iranians in the southwestern and western provinces. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 Some of these hacks include mixing baking soda and sugar, putting bay leaves around cabinets and under appliances and repelling roaches with essential oils. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 16 July 2026 Ahead, experts share plants that enhance the garden’s aesthetic appeal while effectively repelling grubs. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 11 July 2026 Homegrown catnip oil lotion is just as effective as DEET at repelling mosquitoes, according to a new study in Uganda. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 10 July 2026 My own team’s research has shown that mycorrhizal fungi can alter chemicals released by plants in ways that are useful for repelling insects while attracting pollinators and insects’ natural enemies. — Esther Ndumi Ngumbi, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repelling
  1. repellent
  2. repulsing
  3. disgusting
  4. resisting
  5. repulsive
  6. appalling
  7. opposing
  8. revolting
Adjective
  • Depending on the ingredients though, your insect repellant of choice may last a little longer.
    — Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026
  • Catnip, the euphoria-inducing herb beloved by felines, was known to have insect repellent properties, though it had never been commercialized for that purpose.
    — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of repellent
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
Definition of repulsing
Verb
  • 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
  • Discharge Papers • Aw, The Pitt is back and happy to be disgusting again!
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Verb
  • Also on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia struck Iranian proxies in Iraq, after months of resisting being pulled into the conflict.
    — Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Scott Lauck, a spokesperson for the office, said in an email Thursday that one of the juveniles was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault, while the other was charged with one count of resisting arrest, also a misdemeanor.
    — Nathan Pilling July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Definition of resisting
Adjective
  • By their very nature, hydrogen atoms tend to be electrically repulsive to each other.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026
  • If neither meal is found to be appetizing, the winner is simply determined by what the picky eater finds least repulsive.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 15 July 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
  • Venus and Saturn are opposing each other in your money houses (exact on August 21), which looks like possible buyer’s remorse, but will more likely show up in interpersonal contexts where the mutual exchange isn’t actually very mutual.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026
  • The Senate unanimously passed a resolution opposing a presidential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell on Wednesday, putting itself on record against Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-girlfriend.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 July 2026
Definition of opposing
Adjective
  • Their dynamic is instead a cudgel to beat the film into an even more revolting shape.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of revolting

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Cite this Entry

“Repelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repelling. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of repelling for Spanish Speakers

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