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

From 2022 through 2025, 68 percent of Manhattan’s counterfeiting cases ended in adjournments in contemplation of dismissal (ACDs), compared with 17 percent of other Manhattan misdemeanor cases.

— Daniel Edward Rosen, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
When a dismissal order and the driving record contradict each other, call the office that was supposed to transmit the update.

— Karen Koehler, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismissal

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

Outbreaks this year in Louisiana and last year in Florida sickened multiple children, including at least one who developed the same life-changing kidney condition as Brooklyn.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
This can include cases in which toxic chemicals drift into neighboring fields or communities and sicken people.

— Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of sicken

Verb

Gibson was convicted of unlawful gun possession and misdemeanor resisting arrest for not exiting the elevator, but the jury acquitted him of felony resisting arrest.

— Senior Editor, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
However, experts on military law said Hasan could choose to resist execution and file a habeas petition in civilian court, which could significantly delay the execution.

— Konstantin Toropin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of resist

Noun

In her rejection of stereotypically female fashion and her flair for the dramatic, Sanjak definitely would have fit in at Le Monocle.

— Gaby Iori October 7, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
In April, Americans for Financial Reform’s Education Fund released a study stating that the bank’s mortgage rejection rates for minorities in Charlotte and North Carolina far outpaced those of white applicants.

— Chase Jordan October 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of rejection

Verb

Francis said she was appalled upon learning the result of the appeal two days into the current semester.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Smith died at the age of ninety-four in 2017, having seen many years of the internet gossip reporting that came after her and having been appalled by it.

— Lindsey Weber, Vanity Fair, 28 Sep. 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 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of repulse

noun

verb

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