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
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
Root-knot nematodes are one of the biggest pest problems for eggplants, and marigolds' strong smell is excellent for repelling nematodes.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
When the garlic resprouts in spring, plant a new crop of spinach nearby to take full advantage of the companion plants' pest-repelling abilities.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
Ahead, experts share plants that enhance the garden's aesthetic appeal while effectively repelling grubs.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, dry potting mix becomes hydrophobic, actively repelling water.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
In drills, Taiwan has rehearsed repelling a seaborne assault with drones, fast patrol craft, mobile Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles and Marine Corps teams.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The housekeeping team fogs the balés every week to keep most of the biting insects at bay, and gardens teeming with mosquito-repelling lemongrass and zodia plants help keep them at a distance.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
And beyond the initial hit to tourism and trade, the cost of repelling the attacks is staggering.
—Hadley Gamble, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Tristan Jarry got his first start of the series, repelling 34 pucks.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
Root-knot nematodes are one of the biggest pest problems for eggplants, and marigolds' strong smell is excellent for repelling nematodes.
—Heather Bien, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
When the garlic resprouts in spring, plant a new crop of spinach nearby to take full advantage of the companion plants' pest-repelling abilities.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026
Ahead, experts share plants that enhance the garden's aesthetic appeal while effectively repelling grubs.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 Apr. 2026
Sometimes, dry potting mix becomes hydrophobic, actively repelling water.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
In drills, Taiwan has rehearsed repelling a seaborne assault with drones, fast patrol craft, mobile Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles and Marine Corps teams.
—Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
The housekeeping team fogs the balés every week to keep most of the biting insects at bay, and gardens teeming with mosquito-repelling lemongrass and zodia plants help keep them at a distance.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
And beyond the initial hit to tourism and trade, the cost of repelling the attacks is staggering.
—Hadley Gamble, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repelling
Adjective
-
The first, of course, is insect repellant.—
Heather Bien,
The Spruce,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Riding boots in a range of sizes, straw sun hats, water bottle slings, and backpacks aplenty hang in the entrance hall, rain ponchos are tucked into the boot of each truck and sunscreen, soap suds, and insect repellent line the bathroom sink.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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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Miami-Dade prosecutors dismissed two stalking and resisting arrest charges against Hollis on Thursday.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Nine teens, ages 13 to 16 were arrested, some of them on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting law enforcement.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The other kids must have found its inhabitants repulsive or boring, but I was drawn to a cobra that was lying flat out and minding its own business.—
John McPhee,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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These compounds have a strong, pungent odor that many insects, including grubs, find repulsive.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The two countries have backed opposing forces in Yemen and are competing economically.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
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The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support in the Senate, but some Republicans rejected the bill, opposing earmarking millions more to maintain the fortified Capitol and equip it with the staff necessary to keep the screenings going.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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For him, the most revolting thing about his life in Iran was its pervasive stink.—
Amir Ahmadi Arian,
The Dial,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Repelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repelling. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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