dispel

verb

dis·​pel di-ˈspel 

dispelled; dispelling

transitive verb

: to drive away or cause to vanish by or as if by scattering : dissipate

dispel a rumor

Synonyms

• clear out
• disband
• disperse
• dissipate
• scatter
• squander

Choose the Right Synonym for dispel

scatter, disperse, dissipate, dispel mean to cause to separate or break up.

scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions.

the bowling ball scattered the pins

disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group.

police dispersed the crowd

dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance.

the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering.

an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

Examples of dispel in a Sentence

This report should dispel any doubts you have about the plan.

She made an official statement to dispel any rumors about her retirement.

The experience dispelled some of our fears about the process.

Recent Examples on the Web

The rally, in the South Bronx, was choreographed to dispel this notion. —E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2024

By the way, to dispel any confusion, Adam Frankel is not related to the popular and better-known member of Congress, Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach. —Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2024

If there were any doubts that the Olympics would be a target, they were dispelled before dawn on Friday, when saboteurs carried out attacks on high-speed train lines in France. —Lee Hockstader, Washington Post, 26 July 2024

Henkel also dispelled the rumor that Hooper wished for a PG rating. —Edward Frumkin, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin dispellere, from dis- + pellere to drive, beat — more at felt

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dispel

verb

dis·​pel dis-ˈpel 

dispelled; dispelling

: to drive away by or as if by scattering : dissipate