1
as in to repulse
to drive back
the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disgust
to cause to feel disgust
the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to resist
to refuse to give in to
repelled the temptation to stay out late and call in sick the next day
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repel
Unlike in 2016, when Iranian ground forces and Russian air support succeeded in repelling rebel forces during the siege of Aleppo, neither patron could launch a rapid counteroffensive this time.
—
Nicole Grajewski, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025
The exterior is water-resistant to repel stains, but the entire unit is machine-washable (and hang dry) when needed.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 23 Jan. 2025
The stench of death would normally repel sightseers, not attract them.
—Max Butterworth, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025
Intense light works wonders when repelling the creatures of meth, as do air horns and other sonic blasts.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Nicole Grajewski, Foreign Affairs, 28 Jan. 2025
The exterior is water-resistant to repel stains, but the entire unit is machine-washable (and hang dry) when needed.
—Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 23 Jan. 2025
The stench of death would normally repel sightseers, not attract them.
—Max Butterworth, NBC News, 23 Jan. 2025
Intense light works wonders when repelling the creatures of meth, as do air horns and other sonic blasts.
—Matt Thompson, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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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
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Western publics by and large have managed to stave off compassion fatigue and remain committed to helping Ukraine repulse the Russian invasion.—
Nina Jankowicz,
Foreign Affairs,
4 May 2023
Verb
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Cole Aldrich, a former All-American with the Jayhawks and eventual first-round pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, was disgusted by KU’s effort.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
19 Feb. 2025
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The Sooners should still be fine given their bona fides, but the current 3-8 mark in the SEC is going to disgust some observers.—
Jim Root,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Ukraine has tried to resist a total capitulation to American demands on natural resources, but has faced intense pressure from President Trump, who views access to Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth as necessary repayment for the billions the United States has provided Kyiv for its war against Russia.—
Constant Méheut,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
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Half a day, gone like that, just browsing and discovering and then being unable to resist buying.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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There’s no update on this outbreak on the CDC website, which usually provides the most detailed breakdown (people sickened, hospitalizations, ill people by state, investigation details) of outbreaks.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2025
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Disease: Outbreaks of measles in parts of Texas and New Mexico have sickened nearly 100 people, according to state health officials.—
Emmett Lindner,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Players, in his world, are people whom no court can block, no journalist can question, no legislator can oppose.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2025
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No executions have been carried out in Louisiana since 2010 due to the state’s struggles to get the drugs necessary for lethal injection and scant political will (Landry’s predecessor, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, was opposed to the death penalty).—
Dakin Andone,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Its court patterns, built with rubber panels from recycled soles of old shoes to withstand all weather conditions, have regularly changed colors and appearances over the years.—
Eduardo Tansley,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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So far, the technology has withstood several storms and other tests, showing the technology’s commercial viability.—
Elena Bou,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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