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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025
Still, assuming that Harvard goes ahead with a legal battle to repulse the Administration’s assault, its actions could have important ramifications not just for other universities but also for broader efforts to resist Trump’s encroachments.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 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
That passage is a bit funny and also quite beautiful; there’s a sense of Europe and America reaching out to each other or repulsing each other.
—The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025
Still, assuming that Harvard goes ahead with a legal battle to repulse the Administration’s assault, its actions could have important ramifications not just for other universities but also for broader efforts to resist Trump’s encroachments.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulse
Noun
-
Secretary Kristi Noem welcomed the dismissal of a lawsuit against the department for sending migrants to Guantánamo Bay.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
23 May 2025
-
Despite widespread doubt following the dismissal of Malone, the Nuggets, led by the Adelman and his staff, exceeded expectations.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
The conclusion of the thesis: Prostitution and illicit substances, which Feinberg said disgusted him personally, were impossible to police and should therefore be legalized.—
Dan Alexander,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
-
He isn’t disgusted by sexuality, just innocent and uninterested.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
The front element features a fluorine coating to help repel dust and dirt, although that front element does feel vulnerable to damage.—
James Abbott,
Space.com,
23 May 2025
-
Speaking with Russian state-run news agency Interfax, Ushakov said Putin shared details about Ukrainian attacks that Russia claims to have repelled ahead of Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9. Newsweek has contacted Russia's Foreign Ministry for comment by email.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Verb
-
Djokovic, who usually plays on the far more cavernous Chatrier, stepped back from the baseline, smiled, resisted his tendency to troll and got busy with finishing the match.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
-
Keep your elbows gently anchored and resist the urge to cave to your seatmates’ spread.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
But the first lady's office squashed those rejection rumors for her son last week.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
-
The founder who avoids raising prices fears rejection.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Listeria bacteria in cucumbers sickened dozens of people in April and May and left at least nine people hospitalized, according to the FDA.—
Stephanie Armour,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2025
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Another round of cucumbers is being recalled in the wake of a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 26 people across 15 states.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
An Oscar party snub forged Kate Hudson and Mindy Kaling’s enduring friendship.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
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Oklahoma City was held to just two points in the extra period after Clutch Player of the Year apparent snub Aaron Gordon drained a game-tying corner 3-pointer with 26.7 seconds to go in regulation.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
9 May 2025
Verb
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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 6 Jun. 2025.
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