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
This creates a protective barrier that repels fingerprints and gives your appliances a sparkling finish.
—
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
His success is both what draws those closest to him and repels them from his elevated position.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Spraying clothing with the pesticide Permethrin, which repels mosquitoes and ticks.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
The Insect Shield technology repels mosquitoes, ticks, black flies, ants and more.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Understanding the Causes of Cracked and Dusty Soil Soil that repels or will not absorb and hold water is called hydrophobic soil.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025
His success is both what draws those closest to him and repels them from his elevated position.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Spraying clothing with the pesticide Permethrin, which repels mosquitoes and ticks.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
The Insect Shield technology repels mosquitoes, ticks, black flies, ants and more.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Understanding the Causes of Cracked and Dusty Soil Soil that repels or will not absorb and hold water is called hydrophobic soil.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repels
Verb
-
The series resists clean answers.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The rug is suitable for high-traffic areas and is designed with durability in mind, with low-pile fabric that doesn’t shed and resists stains.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Consumer Watchdog, not surprisingly, opposes Lara’s new rules.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
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Next, imagine that those same authoritarian-minded people were recruited by and answer to a president who daily calls for investigations, fines, firings, lawsuits, or worse against any American individual or organization that opposes his policies.—
Patrick Eddington,
Oc Register,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repels. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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