1
as in to repulse
to drive back
the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disgust
to cause to feel disgust
the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to resist
to refuse to give in to
repelled the temptation to stay out late and call in sick the next day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repel
Companion planting garlic, onions, and marigolds also may help repel common Brussels sprouts pests, says Heater.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
Don’t forget to stock up on these mosquito-repelling bracelets before your next camping trip or tropical-climate adventure.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
Inspired by the leaves of the lotus plant, Uniqlo came up with a natural way to repel water from rain gear, an innovation more in demand than ever as customers push to phase out PFAS.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Your LinkedIn profile transformation starts now Your profile is either attracting dream clients or repelling them.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
Don’t forget to stock up on these mosquito-repelling bracelets before your next camping trip or tropical-climate adventure.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
Inspired by the leaves of the lotus plant, Uniqlo came up with a natural way to repel water from rain gear, an innovation more in demand than ever as customers push to phase out PFAS.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Your LinkedIn profile transformation starts now Your profile is either attracting dream clients or repelling them.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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Like Einstein, Brassard feels repulsed by the way the particles in the Bell experiment seem to have firsthand awareness of each other despite being separated by, in principle, light-years of space.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
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This is something that finally repulses Ivor, and that Orla also grapples with.—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
27 July 2025
Verb
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The youthful Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated their first NBA championship in June and endured widespread mockery from the internet when most of them were confused and then disgusted by their first taste of champagne.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
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Locals were disgusted with city leadership’s inept handling of the crisis.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Sky resisted, which has upset Asuka.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
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The rug is suitable for high-traffic areas and is designed with durability in mind, with low-pile fabric that doesn’t shed and resists stains.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And at least 8 percent of people sickened by measles this year had gotten one or more doses of the MMR vaccine—living proof that vaccinated people are also at risk when illnesses are given room to maneuver.—
Jamie Ducharme,
The Atlantic,
17 Sep. 2025
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For example, certain grasses contain compounds from endophytes that sicken grazing animals.—
Anna Marija Helt,
JSTOR Daily,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Republicans, who say school security and improving mental health services are the best way to avoid future tragedies, have firmly opposed any new gun control measures.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
20 Sep. 2025
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Some residents criticized Touchstone, Vice Mayor Joy Smith and Eveillard, who formed a three-person majority on the five-seat board, for supporting a $30,000 raise for themselves while opposing an up-to 5% raise for city staff based on cost of living and merit.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An injured athlete also needs instruction on flexibility and strengthening exercises for the ankle and foot to increase their ability to withstand the stresses from their athletic activities.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
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Their roots intertwine with those of other redwoods, and that gives them tremendous strength to withstand high winds and floods.—
Greg Sullivan,
AFAR Media,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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