dispel
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to drive off in various directions; disperse; dissipate.
to dispel the dense fog.
- Antonyms:
- gather
-
to cause to vanish; alleviate.
to dispel her fears.
verb
Related Words
See scatter.
Other Word Forms
- dispellable adjective
- dispeller noun
- undispellable adjective
- undispelled adjective
Etymology
Origin of dispel
First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin dispellere “to drive asunder,” equivalent to dis- dis- 1 + pellere “to drive”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On Tuesday, the company will try to dispel worries at the special investor meeting.
From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026
The 35-year-old, from Hebburn, South Tyneside, has now launched She Thrives, an online social community to dispel myths, but also to break down taboos about women's health.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
Mahan has sought to dispel those concerns, arguing that he believes AI and social media platforms should be regulated.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
The statement, delivered by a voice-over announcer on state television, did little to dispel rumors about the leader’s physical health.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026
Before we can answer these questions, we must dispel some misconceptions about the origins of food production and then reformulate the question.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
