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
Solving the heat issue To tackle this problem, the team designed a coating that repels water even when droplets approach 194 degrees Fahrenheit (90 degrees Celsius).
—
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
There is this tendency to frame eating disorders as a purely biological phenomenon in a way that kind of evacuates them of all meaning, or actually repels the attempt to create meaning.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
This creates a thin barrier that repels buildup.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
Rosemary repels insects from feasting on your plants while thyme acts as a cabbage worm deterrent.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
This 2x4-foot area rug literally repels water, making liquid less likely to seep deeper into the material.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
To address the issue, researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a device that repels sharks but not tuna and swordfish.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Political interference in mergers and acquisitions approvals and daily operations repels foreign investment and damages confidence in market operations.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
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
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
There is this tendency to frame eating disorders as a purely biological phenomenon in a way that kind of evacuates them of all meaning, or actually repels the attempt to create meaning.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026
This creates a thin barrier that repels buildup.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
Rosemary repels insects from feasting on your plants while thyme acts as a cabbage worm deterrent.
—Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
This 2x4-foot area rug literally repels water, making liquid less likely to seep deeper into the material.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Feb. 2026
To address the issue, researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a device that repels sharks but not tuna and swordfish.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Political interference in mergers and acquisitions approvals and daily operations repels foreign investment and damages confidence in market operations.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repels
Verb
-
Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If someone resists, make an effort to hear them out and understand the real issue.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Feb. 2026
-
London resists reduction to a single trend.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Just thinking about it totally sickens me.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
TechNet, a trade association that represents many of the most powerful tech companies, also opposes the bill.—
Adam Echelman,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The National Association Against iGaming supports the Colorado bill because the group opposes online casino games, said Oliver Barie, the organization’s government relations director.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repels. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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