as in repellent
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in repulsing
to drive back
the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disgusting
to cause to feel disgust
the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in resisting
to refuse to give in to
repelled the temptation to stay out late and call in sick the next day
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repelling
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Ways To Prevent Mice Scents are good at repelling mice in the yard and around the house.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
The union did get a win in repelling Canada Post’s attempt to implement dynamic routing in the urban unit and load leveling across both segments.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
Brightly colored marigold flowers complement the shades of developing bell and hot pepper fruit, but peppers also benefit from marigolds’ pest-repelling properties.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2025
Let potential daters know about your quirks (the kind that attract some people while repelling others) on your profile and on first dates.
—Judd B. Kessler, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
Made from a heavyweight British wool cavalry twill with natural water-repelling qualities, it’s guaranteed to drape.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
It’s made of recycled nylon and Spandex with a DWR water-repelling finish, so feel free to be a little tough on it.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025
Indeed, an array of small, inexpensive weapon systems holds great promise for repelling a Chinese amphibious landing.
—Zack Cooper, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
Both types of down do a good job keeping you warm and repelling the elements.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Jan. 2026
Ways To Prevent Mice Scents are good at repelling mice in the yard and around the house.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
The union did get a win in repelling Canada Post’s attempt to implement dynamic routing in the urban unit and load leveling across both segments.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
Brightly colored marigold flowers complement the shades of developing bell and hot pepper fruit, but peppers also benefit from marigolds’ pest-repelling properties.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2025
Let potential daters know about your quirks (the kind that attract some people while repelling others) on your profile and on first dates.
—Judd B. Kessler, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
Made from a heavyweight British wool cavalry twill with natural water-repelling qualities, it’s guaranteed to drape.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2025
It’s made of recycled nylon and Spandex with a DWR water-repelling finish, so feel free to be a little tough on it.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025
Indeed, an array of small, inexpensive weapon systems holds great promise for repelling a Chinese amphibious landing.
—Zack Cooper, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repelling
Adjective
-
Try Placing Mint Near the Feeder The smell of mint is repellent to ants.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
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This 20 percent-off Patagonia Women’s Houdini Jacket is weather-repellant and folds down into a hand-sized pouch.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Discharge Papers • Aw, The Pitt is back and happy to be disgusting again!—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Pearce later crashed his vehicle and was accused of resisting arrest.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
9 Feb. 2026
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Franco and Proni kept the circulation intuitive, resisting any intervention that might interrupt the architecture’s original flow.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That cage, the magical but also eerie Thrushcross Grange, is a sight to behold—an epic, retina-searing, sometimes repulsive, consistently jaw-dropping palace, meticulously constructed by production designer Suzie Davies.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
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Seven glass bottles had been sitting in storage for many years, and one held precious, though repulsive, evidence of a medicine only mentioned in textual sources.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
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But most Jews have little trouble simultaneously affirming care and concern for Israel and Israelis and opposing Israeli policies, including the extended war in Gaza, the occupation of territories captured in 1967, and the expansion of settlements.—
Rabbi Jill Jacobs,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
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Trump then predicted that Mills’ political career would be over for opposing the order.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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For him, the most revolting thing about his life in Iran was its pervasive stink.—
Amir Ahmadi Arian,
The Dial,
15 Jan. 2026
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This revolting behavior is not limited to the media.—
Brooke L. Rollins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repelling. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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