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
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.
—Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 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
After a disastrous trip to Mexico where Irina appeared repulsed by pretty much everything Zack did, the couple split and Zack crawled back to Bliss.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him.
—Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulse
Noun
-
The incident happened during dismissal in a Millard Lefler Middle School hallway on Tuesday, April 7, a spokesperson for the school confirmed to PEOPLE on Thursday, April 9.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The Justice Department has appealed the Oregon, California and Michigan dismissals.—
Rebecca Boone,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No police necessity can explain their excessive use of force, which has shocked and disgusted fair-minded people across the political spectrum.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The consequences of disgusting one’s wife, whether or not one agrees with her premise, could be enormous.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Groypers are repelled by the obsequiousness of pro-Trump influencers who are always willing to contort themselves to support the President’s latest actions.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
But Calgary repelled another Ducks power play and wrapped it up with Frost's empty-netter.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 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
-
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
-
Sugar water can spoil, sickening the little birds.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
People all over the globe were in disbelief that a man could perpetuate a campaign of drugging and raping his wife without her knowledge, and even more sickened that dozens of men joined him in his crimes.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The jury award was a spur to understand a life recognizably shaped by social-media algorithms, in ways that were perhaps near-impossible to resist, as a serious injury to an entire generation.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Desmon Moore also physically resisted officers, documents filed with the court allege.—
Nick Sullivan
April 9,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This election could reshape not just Hungary but signal a broader European rejection of the illiberal, nationalist movements Orbán inspired among the global far-right.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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As GLP-1s become more ubiquitous, leading many to scramble after insurance rejections, both manufacturers are looking to draw in more customers who either prefer to avoid a needle or were unable to swing the out-of-pocket price.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Back in Brooklyn after college at Emerson, she was appalled by the march toward war that followed 9/11.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Minerliz’ family was relieved — and appalled.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulse. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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