Synonyms of repulse

repulse 1 of 2

noun

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

• dismissal
• rebuff
• rejection
• snub
• silent treatment
• cold shoulder
• brush-off
• banishment
• ostracism
• kiss-off
• blackball

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• open arms
• acceptance
• embrace
• welcome
• welcome mat
• glad hand

repulse

2 of 2

verb

ri-ˈpəls 

1

as in to disgust

to cause to feel disgust

the smell of that town's paper mill totally repulses me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgust
• sicken
• repel
• appall
• horrify
• nauseate
• revolt
• displease
• shock
• gross out
• distress
• outrage
• put off
• insult
• offend
• turn off
• turn one's stomach
• affront
• disquiet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attract
• tempt
• entice
• seduce
• pull
• draw
• lure
• charm
• disarm
• beguile
• fascinate
• captivate
• please
• gratify
• delight
• allure
• enchant
• rejoice
• bewitch
• tickle
• entrance
• appeal (to)
• interest
• enthrall
• enrapture
• intrigue

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

• repel
• resist
• fight
• turn back
• rebut
• turn away
• fend (off)
• oppose
• withstand
• deflect
• stave off
• beat off
• defy
• ward (off)
• hold off
• stand off
• spurn
• rebuff
• snub

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• welcome
• embrace
• hail

Example Sentences

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