dispel

verb

dis·​pel di-ˈspel 

dispelled; dispelling

transitive verb

: to drive away or cause to vanish by or as if by scattering : dissipate

dispel a rumor

Synonyms

• clear out
• disband
• disperse
• dissipate
• scatter
• squander

Choose the Right Synonym for dispel

scatter, disperse, dissipate, dispel mean to cause to separate or break up.

scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions.

the bowling ball scattered the pins

disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group.

police dispersed the crowd

dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance.

the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering.

an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

Examples of dispel in a Sentence

This report should dispel any doubts you have about the plan.

She made an official statement to dispel any rumors about her retirement.

The experience dispelled some of our fears about the process.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a statement Friday afternoon, Adams sought to dispel those concerns. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025

While Trump’s order attempts to shield the public from acknowledging our existence, intersex people are used to dispelling the shadows we’ve been relegated to with the undeniable light of our truth, biological or otherwise. —Alicia Roth Weigel, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025

In addition to dispelling the belief that Los Angeles and broader California can’t produce a good pie, and besides helping the city in the wake of the wildfires, these pizzerias began the LA Pizza Alliance for longevity. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025

Trista, 52, eventually broke through the noise to dispel the concern with a different reality drama. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin dispellere, from dis- + pellere to drive, beat — more at felt

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dispel

verb

dis·​pel dis-ˈpel 

dispelled; dispelling

: to drive away by or as if by scattering : dissipate