as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
the waiter's incredibly rude repulse of our polite request for a better table—one that wasn't right next to the kitchen—prompted us to walk out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to disgust
to cause to feel disgust
the smell of that town's paper mill totally repulses me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to repel
to drive back
the defense repeatedly repulsed all of the offense's attempts to move the ball forward, keeping them firmly planted on the 20-yard line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repulse
Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2021
Yet Mr Trump’s decision to change course represents neither a disastrous retreat nor a major moral repulse.
—The Economist, 23 June 2018
David Segal, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
That passage is a bit funny and also quite beautiful; there’s a sense of Europe and America reaching out to each other or repulsing each other.
—The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Noun
Stories about chemical and biological weapons are often oversold, for the same reason stories of cannibalistic serial killers are: Peculiar forms of murder repulse and excite us, and old-fashioned forms do not.
—Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2021
Yet Mr Trump’s decision to change course represents neither a disastrous retreat nor a major moral repulse.
—The Economist, 23 June 2018
Verb
Image In the novel, Pabst starts off physically repulsed by the mere idea of working for the Reich, but gradually comes around.
—David Segal, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
That passage is a bit funny and also quite beautiful; there’s a sense of Europe and America reaching out to each other or repulsing each other.
—The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulse
Noun
-
Despite the low scoring, United fans would ideally like to give Amorim time to reshape the squad to his liking, rather than call for his immediate dismissal.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
-
His dismissal — and that of several other judges whom President Trump brought in in his first term in office — sparked immediate GOP outrage and claims of political interference.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
We were disgusted by the ambience of this special occasion in our grandchildren’s lives.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 June 2025
-
He was disgusted by George Wallace’s rancid demagoguery.—
The Editors,
National Review,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
Some companion plants are either trap plants, which will distract the bugs, or plants that will repel them with their scent.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
4 June 2025
-
Strikes were also repelled in the Amur region in Russia's Far East and in the western regions of Ivanovo and Ryazan, the ministry said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
This is especially true for decentralized finance (DeFi), which, by its nature, resists traditional regulatory models.—
Irina Heaver,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Serkis, of course, can’t resist playing a couple of parts himself and takes on the affable Rooster and Farmer Jones.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Trump’s rejection of the proposal was first reported by Reuters.—
Aamer Madhani,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2025
-
Panelists discuss the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran—and the rejection of Trump’s dealmaking efforts.—
The Editors,
The Atlantic,
14 June 2025
Verb
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Koalas, on the other hand, are sickened by Chlamydia pecorum, Wildlife Health Australia says, which is the main cause of chlamydial infection and disease in the species.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
11 June 2025
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In a separate, pending lawsuit, people who were detained at the detention center alleged they were sickened by the company’s liberal use of a different disinfectant.—
Sharon Lerner,
ProPublica,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
Jones and Shanahan have only briefly discussed the snub.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
5 June 2025
-
In the end, Putin chose to skip the proceedings and ordered a lower-level Russian delegation to travel to Turkey, a snub to the Ukrainians, who viewed the presence of mid-level officials as a reflection of Moscow's disinterest in diplomacy.—
Daniel R. DePetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Still, there is plenty here that should appall both Democrats and Republicans.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Dismay or appall you, sure, but never surprise you.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Repulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulse. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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