dispel

verb

dis·​pel di-ˈspel How to pronounce dispel (audio)
dispelled; dispelling
Synonyms of dispel

transitive verb

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

Synonyms of dispel

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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
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.
The spokesperson thus sought to dispel, in his own words, the speculation of countless online users who, for months—due to the pop star’s noticeable weight loss—have expressed serious concerns about her physical and mental health. — Roberta Mercuri, Vanity Fair, 3 Aug. 2026 However, Roberts ultimately dispelled the notion that there had ever been a fallout between the two of them over the article. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026 What the law didn’t do is dispel the impression that members of Congress are using their access to get rich. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 29 July 2026 In a blog post released Monday, Amodei sought to dispel claims that Anthropic supports a ban on open-weight models, which allow users to download and customize the technology. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispel

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of dispel was in the 15th century

Rhymes for dispel

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Browse Nearby Words

dispeace
dispel
dispeller
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Cite this Entry

“Dispel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dispel. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dispel

verb
dis·​pel dis-ˈpel How to pronounce dispel (audio)
dispelled; dispelling
: to drive away by or as if by scattering : dissipate

More from Merriam-Webster on dispel

Nglish: Translation of dispel for Spanish Speakers

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