1
as in to repulse
to drive back
the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Still in the throes of grief, Bridget has yet to return to the dating scene and is, at first, repelled by the thought of it.
—
Olivia-Anne Cleary, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
About 4,000 North Korean troops have reportedly been killed or injured in combat after being deployed to Kursk since at least November to repel Ukraine’s incursion in the southern Russian border region, Ukrainian officials and Western intelligence said.
—Edward Szekeres, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
Most anti-slip shoe sole materials attempt to address this problem by repelling liquid water.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 2 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for repel
Olivia-Anne Cleary, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
About 4,000 North Korean troops have reportedly been killed or injured in combat after being deployed to Kursk since at least November to repel Ukraine’s incursion in the southern Russian border region, Ukrainian officials and Western intelligence said.
—Edward Szekeres, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
Most anti-slip shoe sole materials attempt to address this problem by repelling liquid water.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 2 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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Kay’s particular diet was a recurring talking point on the show, with condiments such as ketchup and mayo among the foods that repulsed the TV voice of the Yankees.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 Jan. 2025
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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
Verb
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Once again, DeSantis has gone too far — in this case, ideologically and geographically — and people who surely voted for him in the state’s most conservative region are disgusted.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
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Trump and Vance have never seen war up close, but are still disgusted by it.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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As Hill resists sitting down, another officer jumps from behind him, place an arm around his chest, and pulls him to the ground as Hill continues shouting about knee surgery.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
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The union’s wherewithal to resist the cap has become almost part and parcel of its identity and there has never been any indication that the players are prepared to give in now.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Recognizing key signs of the illness is especially pertinent right now: A measles outbreak spanning neighboring counties in Texas and New Mexico has sickened more than 120 people as of the time this story was published (up from around 20 cases earlier this month) and killed one child.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
28 Feb. 2025
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Listen to this article Newly appointed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared to dismiss a rare measles outbreak that has killed a child in Texas and sickened more than 120 people.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Networks of Opposition Groups opposed to the mRNA technology have built a vast and well-funded legal, marketing, and social media network.—
Stephanie Armour | KFF Health News,
ABC News,
8 Mar. 2025
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Tolbert and Hollins discuss the tendencies opposing pitchers might have toward baserunners, but what Tolbert can do doesn’t end with steals.—
Dylan Pescatore,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Organizations can address the quantum threats of today and tomorrow by transitioning to post-quantum cryptography that can withstand quantum attacks.—
Anurag Lal,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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Fishermen’s, which is now designed to withstand the wind speeds of a Category 5 hurricane, offers specialized services such as 24/7 emergency care with nine emergency department beds.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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