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
The best container herbs that help repel mosquitoes include peppermint, thyme, nasturtiums, lemon balm, rosemary, basil, and lemongrass.
—
The Spruce,
2 July 2026
The strong scent of nasturtiums naturally repels destructive insects, such as cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and whiteflies.
—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
30 June 2026
The finish also repels fingerprints and other marks, very much unlike my gray XGIMI Elfin Flip projector.
—
New Atlas,
29 June 2026
Spray along baseboards and across thresholds to kill and repel insect pests.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
The Spruce,
2 July 2026
The strong scent of nasturtiums naturally repels destructive insects, such as cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and whiteflies.
—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
30 June 2026
The finish also repels fingerprints and other marks, very much unlike my gray XGIMI Elfin Flip projector.
—
New Atlas,
29 June 2026
Spray along baseboards and across thresholds to kill and repel insect pests.
—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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Plenty of people bought it, plenty were repulsed by it.
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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.
Verb
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Kim The call left Kim Grindell disgusted, furious and wracked with guilt.
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Many of the crew members are disgusted by Vito's homosexuality, but Phil seems to take special exception to this revelation, going out of his way to demand Tony take him out and becoming violently angered even at the mere mention of Vito's name.
Verb
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The Ground Above, her follow-up to 2022’s Weather Alive, resists the tacit assumption that an artist’s catalogue should walk a straight line.
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Ask for the dressing on the side, or resist ordering the extra ranch dip or heavily marinated meat.
Verb
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More than 100 passengers were sickened in a recent norovirus outbreak on the Ruby Princess cruise ship that departed from California last month and arrived back at port Thursday.
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The life-threatening species that's found in water can also sicken or kill people who eat contaminated seafood, such as raw oysters infected with the bacteria.
Verb
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As singers took opposing sides, Jones told the MTV crew to stop filming.
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Some left-leaning policy organizations also oppose the charges.
Verb
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Building codes in regions with active fault lines are often designed to withstand earthquakes, but that doesn't hold true everywhere.
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Constitutional scholars have cast doubt on whether the Kansas law could withstand a legal challenge if tested.
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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