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
Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
But many foresee a protracted, bitter conflict, particularly in the country’s east as Russian forces retrench after the humiliating repulse of their advance on Kyiv.
—Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2022
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 14 Dec. 2025
To go from being repulsed to being utterly nurtured was an extraordinary journey.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Noun
The optical, stop-motion, and puppetry effects alone should make Brain Damage a priority on your watchlist, but Henenlotter’s film excites and repulses on a deeper level.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
But many foresee a protracted, bitter conflict, particularly in the country’s east as Russian forces retrench after the humiliating repulse of their advance on Kyiv.
—Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2022
Verb
Those repulsed by the thought of turning to artificial intelligence for information or assistance have had to contend with the frightening reality of their omnipresence.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 14 Dec. 2025
To go from being repulsed to being utterly nurtured was an extraordinary journey.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulse
Noun
-
The latest rebuff of state overreach was the dismissal last week of the highly questionable felony case against respected Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly brought by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The result is a drama of surprising universality, in which a well-to-do couple becomes the target of unjust dismissals and persecution for political wrongthink against the Turkish regime.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In one of those realities (the actual one most of us are living in), a growing number of people across the political spectrum are angered, terrified and disgusted by actions being taken in their names by people and agencies which seem to have little or no accountability.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Macaroons shaped like the heads of Bad Bunny or Kid Rock will delight or disgust your guests.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The driver used bear spray to repel the suspect and drove away to a safe location, the Sheriff’s Office said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This 2x4-foot area rug literally repels water, making liquid less likely to seep deeper into the material.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The latest rebuff of state overreach was the dismissal last week of the highly questionable felony case against respected Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly brought by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Braced by that humiliating rebuff, the Service wasted no time in getting serious and rallying around reform.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the past three months, California has seen a sudden uptick in the number of people becoming sickened and dying after accidentally eating poisonous mushrooms found in the wild.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
An outbreak along the Arizona-Utah border that began in August of last year is ongoing and has sickened nearly 240 people in Arizona, according to the state's health department.—
Sarah Volpenhein,
jsonline.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those who are traveling with a partner will appreciate the double vanities—or resist the old-fashioned clawfoot tub.—
Diana Oates,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The urge to lie down for a soak, even in winter, is hard to resist.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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People who have taken corticosteroid medicines for conditions like seizures, gastric reflux, cancer and transplant rejection are more susceptible, as are those with celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney or liver disease, multiple myeloma and rheumatoid arthritis.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
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That is usually a sign of imminent death for a bill, and most legislators prefer to avoid the humiliation of public rejection.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But just as those supporters should not be blamed for having mixed feelings, so Spurs staff would be entirely justified in feeling bemused, frustrated and appalled by any suggestion that fans do not want to get a result, just as Postecoglou was two years ago.—
Dan Kilpatrick,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The unconscionable treatment of maids in Alma’s era finds uncomfortable parallels in the 1980s, when Angelika is both appalled and intrigued by the leering looks of her uncle Uwe (Konstantin Lindhorst).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulse. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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