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
The Malian Armed Forces repelled the attack and are currently taking further steps to eliminate the militia that may have been, reportedly, trained by Western security agencies.
—
Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
In April 2025, North Korea and Russia announced that their soldiers fought together to repel a Ukraine incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
In fact, there are a wide variety of strong smells, including garlic and many essential oils, that may also repel ants in your home.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
Some sites make claims that essential oils from mint and other plants can repel bees, but many beekeepers use them to attract bees2 or treat diseases3.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
In April 2025, North Korea and Russia announced that their soldiers fought together to repel a Ukraine incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
In fact, there are a wide variety of strong smells, including garlic and many essential oils, that may also repel ants in your home.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
Some sites make claims that essential oils from mint and other plants can repel bees, but many beekeepers use them to attract bees2 or treat diseases3.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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Floyd, distraught by his own physical failures, is nevertheless repulsed by the sight of Carol in her big, burly ump gear.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In the mid-19th century, Kasanje was able to repulse a Portuguese military expedition.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The researchers also found that being young, female, and well educated increased the odds that someone would be moist averse, as did being disgusted more generally by bodily functions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
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Some were disgusted, while others were filled with joy.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With sedge plants, the rhizomes create a tough mat just below ground level that resists foot traffic.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Both homeowners were charged with resisting.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That data also shows that the number of people sickened by tick bites has been steadily rising every year.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
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Those pelican numbers were very high because of a toxic algae bloom off Southern California that sickened the birds with domoic acid poisoning.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Earlier, the Moon in Libra opposes direct Mercury in Aries, so thoughts may move faster than your emotional response, making conversations feel slightly off or rushed.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Puth isn’t a flashy showman by any means, staying mostly confined to the front of the stage between two opposing keyboards.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Unfortunately for Portland, that was not enough to withstand the tidal-wave run the Spurs went on starting in the middle of the third quarter.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Luckily, most spring leafy greens can withstand a broken petiole or two and recover nicely.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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