1
as in repulses
to drive back
the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disgusts
to cause to feel disgust
the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in resists
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 repels
The herby scent also repels flies, gnats, and some ticks.
—
Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
However, growing strongly scented rosemary plants near brassicas naturally repels many common garden pests, including cabbage moths.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
Rosemary repels damaging pests with its strong scent.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
Typewriters, stationery, fine-art museums, the quintessential impressionist painter—these are all associated with taste, beauty, and craft, as well as with intentionality and care, the opposite of the ruthless technological efficiency that repels many from generative AI.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The front glass also includes an anti-smudge coating, fluorine, a material that repels grease and moisture.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 16 Mar. 2026
Foliage has a waxy covering that repels pests and discourages disease.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
The disguise simultaneously repels birds and other larger predators, who have no interest in eating what appears to be excrement, while luring in the spider’s next dinner.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
The disguise simultaneously repels birds and larger predators, who have no interest in eating what appears to be excrement, while luring in the spider’s next dinner.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
However, growing strongly scented rosemary plants near brassicas naturally repels many common garden pests, including cabbage moths.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026
Rosemary repels damaging pests with its strong scent.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026
Typewriters, stationery, fine-art museums, the quintessential impressionist painter—these are all associated with taste, beauty, and craft, as well as with intentionality and care, the opposite of the ruthless technological efficiency that repels many from generative AI.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
The front glass also includes an anti-smudge coating, fluorine, a material that repels grease and moisture.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 16 Mar. 2026
Foliage has a waxy covering that repels pests and discourages disease.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
The disguise simultaneously repels birds and other larger predators, who have no interest in eating what appears to be excrement, while luring in the spider’s next dinner.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2026
The disguise simultaneously repels birds and larger predators, who have no interest in eating what appears to be excrement, while luring in the spider’s next dinner.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repels
Verb
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Sigmund Freud believed that every crush has a strand of disgust, that people are attracted to what repulses them.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2026
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Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kousa also boasts handsome flaking bark, and most important, kousa resists disease and isn't as fussy about soil as flowering dogwood is.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
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As soft as pajamas yet lovely enough to wear out on the town (or around the ship), the micro modal fabric of these Saint Haven pants drapes elegantly, resists wrinkles, and has a relaxed fit that works equally well at a harbor-side bar or a breezy dinner ashore.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Just thinking about it totally sickens me.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Listeria sickens about 1,250 Americans every year and causes approximately 172 deaths.—
News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Yet while most of the country opposes the Iran conflict, Republican voters maintain their support for the president’s actions — a major factor in the defeat of Thursday’s measure.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
16 Apr. 2026
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Hezbollah, which opposes the talks and was not represented, escalated attacks on northern Israel as negotiations began.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repels. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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