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
Relevance
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
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Jackson was repulsed at the idea of the film being shown to the public, as was Zapruder, who quickly settled again with Time-Life.
—Time, 20 Sep. 2025
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
He was repulsed then, but years later, thinking about a man who’d expressed an interest in the human body in the most macabre possible way sparked something in Hunnam.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Jackson was repulsed at the idea of the film being shown to the public, as was Zapruder, who quickly settled again with Time-Life.
—Time, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulse
Noun
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Miller said his clients believe that this additional context and other policy changes at Indiana Medicaid will address the judge's concerns that anchored her dismissal.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
24 Oct. 2025
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Karen Scham — the resident who originally petitioned to remove the books — was also in attendance, urging Lewin-Lane’s dismissal.—
Adrienne Davis,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
People are disgusted with Israel’s response.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
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Christine assures him that she could never be disgusted with him.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The event was the latest public honoring of North Korean troops who fought in Russia to repel an incursion by Ukrainian forces.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
24 Oct. 2025
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These fabrics are known for repelling dust mites, mold, mildew, and other allergens much more effectively than traditional down.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The matter-of-fact rebuff feels very French, very Oklou.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
1 Oct. 2025
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There was a unilateral rebuff toward the idea that the industry is experiencing a drummer shortage in general.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Epstein has resisted the obvious move to monetize it.—
Patrick Iversen,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The family—an ambivalent institution bar none—shapes us, and yet our individuality resists that shaping.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Moore’s journey reveals how Black Nationalism emerged not simply as a rejection of American ideals, but as a demand for their true fulfillment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Trump imposed fresh sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies—Rosneft and Lukoil—for its rejection of a ceasefire, applying extra economic pressure on the Kremlin to make peace in Ukraine.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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The illness spreads through the tribe, sickening one of its leaders and creating division and disorder.—
Maggie Doherty,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Boseman's masterful portrayal earned him plenty of critical acclaim, and his lack of an Oscar nomination was considered one of the biggest snubs of the following year.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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There’s a particular kind of Oscar-season tragedy that has nothing to do with surprise snubs.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulse. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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