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
Relevance
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
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.
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
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2025
These same, once skeptical business leaders rallied around Trump in 2017 but were repulsed by many of his words and actions within eight months, withdrawing support, not returning to give him a second chance until now.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 17 Jan. 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
Kay’s particular diet was a recurring talking point on the show, with condiments such as ketchup and mayo among the foods that repulsed the TV voice of the Yankees.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2025
These same, once skeptical business leaders rallied around Trump in 2017 but were repulsed by many of his words and actions within eight months, withdrawing support, not returning to give him a second chance until now.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulse
Noun
-
But chipping away at central bank independence, as Trump appears to be doing with his open criticism of the Fed chair and implicit threats of dismissal, is a historically sure way to high inflation.—
Ana Carolina Garriga,
The Conversation,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The order included full pardons of those already sentenced, commutations of sentences of 14 Proud Boys and Oath Keepers and the dismissal of all pending cases.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
All of them disgust me to be quite honest with you. KARL: All right.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Vara, like many of her readers, is both enchanted by the web and disgusted with the companies that control it.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Results suggested this impact was due to the plants creating a physical barrier that disrupted the movement of cucumber beetles, rather than any effects of repelling them or attracting beneficial insects.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2025
-
In a press release, the Navy touted the Stockdale's role in helping repel multiple Houthi attacks during transits of the Bab el-Mandeb straight and escort operations of U.S.-flagged vessels in the Gulf of Aden.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
On Tuesday, Japanese media reported that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida received a letter from Chinese No. 2 Premier Li Qiang, urging him to join Beijing in resisting protectionism.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The blades are crafted from alloy steel that maintains its sharpness over time and resists rust.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Account hopes to combat misogynistic online content Creators like Andrew Tate provide a pipeline for men seeking advice about romantic rejection, physical self-esteem and economic insecurity to fall into radicalism and misogyny.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Cronenberg’s rejection of the notion was just one of the first surprising musings from a discussion with Variety about his approach to art, including his consideration of the audience, embrace of technology and rejection of genre.—
William Earl,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The pollution morphed into a thick, acidic mix that sickened nearly half the town's residents.—
Alejandra Borunda,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The measles outbreak, which could go on for months, has now spread to Kansas and Ohio after sickening more than 370 in Texas and New Mexico.—
Michael Casey and Matthew Perrone,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Many people have perceived his walking off set and the Instagram story as a deliberate snub.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 2025
-
After the film’s snub originally sparked backlash in Hollywood, and was even unofficially re-voted as Best Picture in 2015, Lee blamed the loss on the Academy’s homophobia last year.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 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 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share