as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
the waiter's incredibly rude repulse of our polite request for a better table—one that wasn't right next to the kitchen—prompted us to walk out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to disgust
to cause to feel disgust
the smell of that town's paper mill totally repulses me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to repel
to drive back
the defense repeatedly repulsed all of the offense's attempts to move the ball forward, keeping them firmly planted on the 20-yard line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repulse
Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
But many foresee a protracted, bitter conflict, particularly in the country’s east as Russian forces retrench after the humiliating repulse of their advance on Kyiv.
—Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2022
Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Nick is hired by a mafia don to confirm and then steal a priceless manuscript said to be Dante’s original Divine Comedy in his own hand, dragging Nick into an underworld he’s both repulsed by and complicit in.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Noun
The optical, stop-motion, and puppetry effects alone should make Brain Damage a priority on your watchlist, but Henenlotter’s film excites and repulses on a deeper level.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
But many foresee a protracted, bitter conflict, particularly in the country’s east as Russian forces retrench after the humiliating repulse of their advance on Kyiv.
—Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2022
Verb
Cilantro, a polarizing herb that’s either adored in Mexican, Southeast Asian, and Indian cuisines, or repulsed by those who detect a nauseating soapy taste.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Nick is hired by a mafia don to confirm and then steal a priceless manuscript said to be Dante’s original Divine Comedy in his own hand, dragging Nick into an underworld he’s both repulsed by and complicit in.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulse
Noun
-
Hall heard oral arguments for the dismissal in April and has yet to issue a ruling.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
At dismissal, Fridley Middle’s teachers and many support staff put on their jackets, scarves and gloves and walked outside.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
That’s what really disgusts me.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
-
Jackson and Jones are opposed by other Republicans including Raffensperger and Carr, who are hoping that voters disgusted by the attacks between Jackson and Jones will be looking for other options.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Russia has passed a law authorizing its central bank and other financial institutions to repel drone attacks with their own defense systems, as the country struggles to defend against Ukrainian strikes.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
27 May 2026
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Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV said the militant group repelled attacks along the riverbanks.—
Nick Duffy,
NBC news,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Despite the Reina Sofía’s many refusals to lend the work to various institutions around the world, its rebuff of the Guggenheim’s request carries a particular sting because the Basque Country has long held that the painting belongs in the place where the depicted tragedy occurred.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
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The latest rebuff of state overreach was the dismissal last week of the highly questionable felony case against respected Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly brought by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The outbreak has sickened at least 134 people and killed 18 across Congo and Uganda, with survivors describing harsh symptoms, scarce therapies and fearful neighbors who kept their distance.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
Soon afterward, two more passengers sickened and died, and at least eight others were infected.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
24 May 2026
Verb
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The printing director who resisted the effort said she was reassigned last month.—
Jonathan O'Connell,
Washington Post,
28 May 2026
-
Moise is charged with driving under the influence (DUI), grand theft, fleeing and eluding, and resisting an officer.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Noun
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For the next two years, Adamson and Watson struggled through label rejections, an aborted stint opening for Alice Cooper with a mediocre backing band, and some uneven sessions with Roxy Music producer Chris Thomas.—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2026
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There is, however, ongoing discussion about whether the introduction of hierarchy might have contributed to the decline of mega-sites due to an overall rejection of that form of organization.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Some were appalled by the cynicism of the company’s pitch, others by its client list, which included indie artists whose popularity fans preferred to imagine had spread organically.—
Lane Brown,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
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The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulse. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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