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 Basset Fauve de Bretagne, also known as the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset, is a hound with coarse, wiry fur that conveniently repels dirt and does not mat, according to the AKC.
—
Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
The oil penetrates the wood to keep it from drying out, while the beeswax adds a gentle protective layer that repels water.
—Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 29 Dec. 2025
The president has eschewed the messaging discipline that’s common among most politicians, an authenticity that appeals to some voters and repels others.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
This repels other migrating ions, acting like a traffic jam at the most important internal junctions.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025
Philosophically, the idea of proving one’s innocence repels me.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 21 Nov. 2025
The windshield repels the huddled form and the thump on the pavement sounds like a rebuke.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
It’s made from solid red wood cedar that’s water-resistant, won’t decay, and repels insects.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
The pair are gifted grimoires at the age of 15, though Asta's is a rare Grimoire of Anti-Magic that negates and repels his opponent's spells.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
The oil penetrates the wood to keep it from drying out, while the beeswax adds a gentle protective layer that repels water.
—Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 29 Dec. 2025
The president has eschewed the messaging discipline that’s common among most politicians, an authenticity that appeals to some voters and repels others.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 17 Dec. 2025
This repels other migrating ions, acting like a traffic jam at the most important internal junctions.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025
Philosophically, the idea of proving one’s innocence repels me.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 21 Nov. 2025
The windshield repels the huddled form and the thump on the pavement sounds like a rebuke.
—Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
It’s made from solid red wood cedar that’s water-resistant, won’t decay, and repels insects.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
The pair are gifted grimoires at the age of 15, though Asta's is a rare Grimoire of Anti-Magic that negates and repels his opponent's spells.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repels
Verb
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Writer-director Craig Brewer resists the temptation to make Mike and Claire in any way pitiful or worthy of derision.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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Everything is wrapped in a Ceraluminum ceramic finish that resists fingerprints and scratches while feeling premium in hand.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Roarke LaCoursiere, with the Indiana Catholic Conference, said the organization opposes the bill because while its members stand with the victims and their families, the death penalty doesn’t bring about justice.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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The governor rightly opposes raising nation-leading personal income taxes but may be cracking open the door to raising business or other taxes to respond to federal cuts.—
Andrew Rein,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Repels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repels. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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