repulses 1 of 2

noun

plural of repulse
as in rebuffs
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

repulses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of repulse
1
as in disgusts
to cause to feel disgust the smell of that town's paper mill totally repulses me

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2
as in repels
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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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 repulses
Verb
Sigmund Freud believed that every crush has a strand of disgust, that people are attracted to what repulses them. — Daniel Felsenthal, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2026 Charlie, though, is trying to keep them out of a country that thoroughly repulses him. — Alexander Nazaryan, New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulses
  1. dismissals
  2. disgusts
  3. repels
  4. snubs
  5. sickens
  6. resists
  7. rejections
Noun
  • The dismissals varied but building a middle order capable of withstanding a spin barrage in helpful conditions is fundamental to England’s ambitions overseas.
    — Ben Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The allegations against Tran have led to other murder convictions being overturned, dismissals and relatively lenient plea deals in other cases.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismissals
Verb
  • That’s what really disgusts me.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Definition of disgusts
Verb
  • Celery, thyme, marigold, and chamomile can help mask the smell of cabbage plants, while borage repels the moths.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 July 2026
  • While it's best known for triggering playful behavior in cats, researchers have long known the compound also repels insects.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of repels
Noun
  • After all, her recurring omissions for her role as Kim Wexler on Better Caul Saul is widely considered one of the biggest snubs in modern Emmy history.
    — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Carell himself has been quiet about it, never really addressing the snubs in public.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of snubs
Verb
  • Alcohol kills 178,000 Americans each year and sickens countless more.
    — Lev Facher, STAT, 12 May 2026
  • Just thinking about it totally sickens me.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026
Definition of sickens
Verb
  • Eve resists scream-queen clichés, but Gemma’s boringly typical tortured backstory is as flat as her wan chemistry with Nick.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Harbour resists the idea that the label was ever a cage or a hurdle to his progress as an artist.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of resists
Noun
  • Pharmaceutical companies will be looking for changes at the agency, too, after rejections or reversals of biotech drugs intended for rare diseases.
    — Matthew Perrone, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Pharmaceutical companies will also be looking for changes at the agency, following rejections or reversals of biotech drugs intended for rare diseases.
    — Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of rejections

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repulsed
repulses
repulsing
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Cite this Entry

“Repulses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulses. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on repulses

Nglish: Translation of repulses for Spanish Speakers

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