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
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
In the mid-19th century, Kasanje was able to repulse a Portuguese military expedition.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 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
Floyd, distraught by his own physical failures, is nevertheless repulsed by the sight of Carol in her big, burly ump gear.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
In the mid-19th century, Kasanje was able to repulse a Portuguese military expedition.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulse
Noun
-
But his tenure was also marked by a notoriously volatile temperament that ultimately led to his dismissal in September 2000.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
19 June 2026
-
Just a brutal start for Qatar, which now gets a red card and the dismissal of Homam El Amin.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Many of the crew members are disgusted by Vito's homosexuality, but Phil seems to take special exception to this revelation, going out of his way to demand Tony take him out and becoming violently angered even at the mere mention of Vito's name.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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Turner’s character, Declan O’Hara, is a righteous Irish journalist, also loquacious, also hot, but disgusted by ostentatious displays of wealth.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The wax and sealant not only restores your chrome wheels’ glossy shine but also protects them by actively repelling brake dust, road salt and other debris.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
-
That kind of energy, unfortunately, can repel someone.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
16 June 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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These pathogens can sicken swimmers with diseases of the skin, eyes, ears, and respiratory tract.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
-
But screwworms sicken all kinds of warm-blooded mammals, including, less commonly, humans.—
Kara Finnstrom,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Knicks owner Jim Dolan took center stage and couldn't resist taking a shot at the mayor during the team's most joyous moment.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
18 June 2026
-
Some of Díaz-Canel’s statements were remarkable simply for confirming that Cuban leaders knew their economic policies did not work and yet had resisted reforms.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Noun
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This finding specifically held true for people with fearful and preoccupied attachment styles, two subtypes of insecure attachment associated with a craving for intimacy but, respectively, a deep fear of it or a fear of rejection and abandonment.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
20 June 2026
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Someone with anxious attachment may worry about rejection, seek excessive reassurance or feel uncertain about the stability of relationships.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
Verb
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Democratic lawmakers were predictably appalled by Pulte’s selection.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
2 June 2026
-
Taxpayers were rightfully appalled.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulse. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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