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
Made from moisture-wicking fabric, this workout tank naturally repels sweat to keep you cool during high-intensity workouts and outdoor activities.
—
Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Sometimes that means that one plant repels bugs that often attack the other plant.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Summer savory attracts pollinators and repels bean beetles and aphids.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 26 May 2026
Garlic, onions, chives, and other plants in the allium family, including ornamentals, have a strong and pungent odor that repels an assortment of garden pests.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2026
The chaos of American life repels her.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
The South China Morning Post stated that this molecule uses its rigid, bulky structure to physically shield the iron core from chemical attack, while its strong negative charge creates a force field that repels leaking particles.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
Sometimes that means that one plant repels bugs that often attack the other plant.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Summer savory attracts pollinators and repels bean beetles and aphids.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 26 May 2026
Garlic, onions, chives, and other plants in the allium family, including ornamentals, have a strong and pungent odor that repels an assortment of garden pests.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 May 2026
The chaos of American life repels her.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
The South China Morning Post stated that this molecule uses its rigid, bulky structure to physically shield the iron core from chemical attack, while its strong negative charge creates a force field that repels leaking particles.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 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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This is something that finally repulses Ivor, and that Orla also grapples with.—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
27 July 2025
Verb
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That’s what really disgusts me.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
-
The technology disgusts Orwell’s protagonist, Winston Smith, who pointedly decides to purchase a diary and pen to write down his own independent thoughts.—
Laura Beers,
The Conversation,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Yet Smith resists the idea that Democrats should define a future majority solely through investigations.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
8 June 2026
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There’s also a broader cultural undercurrent shaping all of this—a down-to-earth atmosphere that resists hierarchy and self-importance.—
Alli Forde,
Travel + Leisure,
8 June 2026
Verb
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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
-
Separate salmonella outbreak sickens 45 A separate salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers has sickened 45 people across 18 states.—
Addy Bink,
The Hill,
8 June 2025
Verb
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Behind a wall of tour buses was a counter-demonstration hosted by the extremist group Lehava, which opposes Jewish-Arab coexistence and gay relationships.—
Theia Chatelle,
Sun Sentinel,
8 June 2026
-
Gay opposes the population initiative on the ground of excessive state intervention.—
Jessi Jezewska Stevens,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repels. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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