as in repellent
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in repulsing
to drive back
the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disgusting
to cause to feel disgust
the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in resisting
to refuse to give in to
repelled the temptation to stay out late and call in sick the next day
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repelling
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
Lavender Thanks to its strong, aromatic scent, lavender is effective at repelling mosquitoes and flies.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
Citrus peels are not effective at repelling pests due to their low concentration of insect-repelling compounds like limonene.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026
However, Hawaii Forest & Trail has permission to take small groups to the summit on a five-hour Hidden Craters Hike that includes repelling into and scrambling through a large lava tube.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The chemical is believed to work in a number of ways—jamming smell detectors so that mosquitoes cannot recognize a human or animal target, conferring a bitter taste that mosquitoes detect on their feet, or mimicking the smell of natural mosquito-repelling plants.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 May 2026
At the store, it can be found in powders, aerosol solutions, sprays and treated clothing, which is especially effective in repelling and killing insects and ticks.
—Gavin Escott, USA Today, 20 May 2026
How to use pest-repelling plants effectively outdoors Placement matters as much as the plants themselves.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Other deterrents act by repelling insects and disease organisms.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Verb
The wax and sealant not only restores your chrome wheels’ glossy shine but also protects them by actively repelling brake dust, road salt and other debris.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
Lavender Thanks to its strong, aromatic scent, lavender is effective at repelling mosquitoes and flies.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 13 June 2026
Citrus peels are not effective at repelling pests due to their low concentration of insect-repelling compounds like limonene.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2026
However, Hawaii Forest & Trail has permission to take small groups to the summit on a five-hour Hidden Craters Hike that includes repelling into and scrambling through a large lava tube.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
The chemical is believed to work in a number of ways—jamming smell detectors so that mosquitoes cannot recognize a human or animal target, conferring a bitter taste that mosquitoes detect on their feet, or mimicking the smell of natural mosquito-repelling plants.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 May 2026
At the store, it can be found in powders, aerosol solutions, sprays and treated clothing, which is especially effective in repelling and killing insects and ticks.
—Gavin Escott, USA Today, 20 May 2026
How to use pest-repelling plants effectively outdoors Placement matters as much as the plants themselves.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Other deterrents act by repelling insects and disease organisms.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repelling
Adjective
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Citronella Grass Citronella is a household name in the mosquito-repellant game, and for good reason.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
13 June 2026
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That goes for fabric softener, coffee grounds, bay leaves, and sonic repellant devices, which have no scientific basis.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
Verb
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While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The consequences of disgusting one’s wife, whether or not one agrees with her premise, could be enormous.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
6 Apr. 2026
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Discharge Papers • Aw, The Pitt is back and happy to be disgusting again!—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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He was arrested on suspicion of brandishing a weapon, resisting arrest with violence, resisting arrest, trespassing and being too intoxicated to care for himself in public, police said.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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After her third arrest in November 2024, Chelsea pled guilty in February 2025 to charges of resisting or obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping and possession of methamphetamine, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.—
Anna Myers,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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The corpse stink was, at first, slightly too repulsive to unleash on the Field Museum’s unsuspecting visitors, so it was toned down slightly.—
RJ Mackenzie,
Popular Science,
11 June 2026
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This provision is equally repulsive.—
Austin Elias-de Jesus,
New Yorker,
3 June 2026
Verb
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The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Others also questioned how much time was allotted for those opposing the project, such as Flojaune Cofer, who is running to replace Serna on the board and appears likely to advance to the November general election.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
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The video was obviously not received well, and officials at Texas Tech were enduring a tremendous amount of backlash from opposing conference leaders from across the Big 12.—
Trey Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Babies and toddlers will put just about anything in their mouths, including objects that adults find profoundly revolting.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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The revolting legacy of the pedophile trafficker Jeffrey Epstein continues to unmask the obstacles to finding truth.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repelling. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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