REPULSE Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

repulse 1 of 2

noun

Definition of repulse

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

repulse

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈpəls

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of repulse

Noun

Larger than life, his creation repulses and torments him, and Victor spends the rest of his life both running from it and trying to destroy it. — Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 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

Verb

Philly may be shedding its second-fiddle status, but it remains entirely repulsed by frauds and underachievers. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 July 2026 Spearmint and peppermint plants are particularly effective insect repellents, but many other plants in the mint family can also be used to repulse flies, including pennyroyal and lemon balm. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for repulse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulse

Noun

All five students sought to appeal their dismissals but say that the university blocked access to their education records, which the students allege is a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

— Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026
In Virginia, a judge’s finding that Lindsey Halligan was unlawfully appointed led to the dismissal of indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Atty.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismissal

Verb

Use bulb cages or buried layers of hardware cloth to repel rodents, and try adding tree guards and fencing to fend off larger animals.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 28 Oct. 2026
The coating allows fibers to repel liquids—even alcohol—without surface treatments by adding during melt processing.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of repel

Noun

Perhaps this accident of birth is connected to the subtle rebuff of modern life in Marcon’s films.

— Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
The rebuff contributes to the future civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, in which Rhaenyra battles her half-brother Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) for the seat of power.

— Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026

Definition of rebuff

Verb

The finding also comes on the heels of a record-breaking cyclospora outbreak this summer that sickened 12,883 people across 21 states, hospitalized at least 570 and was associated with two deaths in Michigan.

— Megan R. Wilson, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Flu season has arrived early this year, with a new variant of the virus already sickening thousands and sending many to the hospital.

— Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of sicken

Noun

Even with the federal effort on hold, state governments have pressed ahead with new rules that are already pushing ballot rejection rates higher.

— Philip Wang, Time, 28 Oct. 2026
For next year’s admissions, institutions would have to publish more detailed selection criteria and explain rejections when applicants request reasons.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of rejection

Verb

As a graduate student and young mother in Israel, she had been appalled that her kids were being taught creationism in public school.

— Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
The neighbors, who had till then lived in a conventional suburban setting — two-story colonials, wide lawns — were appalled.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of appall

Browse Nearby Words

repugnant

repulse

repulsed

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Style

“Repulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulse. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of repulse

noun

verb

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