repel

[ ri-pel ]

verb (used with object)

, re·pelled, re·pel·ling.

1. to drive or force back (an assailant, invader, etc.).

   Synonyms: parry, repulse

   Antonyms: attract

2. to thrust back or away.
3. to resist effectively (an attack, onslaught, etc.).

   Synonyms: rebuff, oppose, withstand

4. to keep off or out; fail to mix with:

   Water and oil repel each other.

5. to resist the absorption or passage of (water or other liquid):

   This coat repels rain.

6. to refuse to have to do with; resist involvement in:

   to repel temptation.

7. to refuse to accept or admit; reject:

   to repel a suggestion.

   Synonyms: rebuff, decline

8. to discourage the advances of (a person):

   He repelled me with his harshness.

9. to cause distaste or aversion in:

   Their untidy appearance repelled us.

10. to push back or away by a force, as one body acting upon another ( attract ):

    The north pole of one magnet will repel the north pole of another.

verb (used without object)

, re·pelled, re·pel·ling.

1. to act with a force that drives or keeps away something.
2. to cause distaste or aversion.

repel

/ rɪˈpɛl /

verb

1. to force or drive back (something or somebody, esp an attacker)
2. also intr to produce a feeling of aversion or distaste in (someone or something); be disgusting (to)
3. to push aside; dismiss

   he repelled the suggestion as wrong and impossible

4. to be effective in keeping away, controlling, or resisting

   an aerosol spray that repels flies

5. to have no affinity for; fail to mix with or absorb

   water and oil repel each other

6. to disdain to accept (something); turn away from or spurn

   she repelled his advances

7. also intr to exert an opposing force on (something)

   an electric charge repels another charge of the same sign

Usage

See repulse

Derived Forms

• reˈpeller, noun

Other Words From

• re·pellence re·pellen·cy noun
• re·peller noun
• re·pelling·ly adverb
• re·pelling·ness noun
• nonre·pellence noun
• nonre·pellen·cy noun
• nonre·peller noun
• self-re·pellen·cy noun
• unre·pelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repel¹

1350–1400; Middle English repellen < Latin repellere to drive back, equivalent to re- re- + pellere to drive, push; repulse

Word History and Origins

Origin of repel¹

C15: from Latin repellere , from re- + pellere to push, drive

Example Sentences

The video shows a convoy of Russian armour being repelled after making it to within 4km of the key bridge at Kupiansk, the last major road crossing in the area.

From BBC

The headlines tolling doom have cast a shadow over the work of millions of dedicated mathematicians, entrepreneurs, engineers, artists, ecologists and community advocates and repelled onlookers, creating a profound missed opportunity to reshape philanthropy.

From Salon

While repelling a mountain wall, Mr Huserka’s thread cracked and he fell into an ice crevasse, he partner said.

From BBC

But with all the progress being made, and a true effort to fix this problem that generally repels people from the sport, the numbers are starting to go back up in California.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump repels them because he wants to go back to the dark ages of racial and gender apartheid.

From Salon

Related Words

• chase away
• confront
• drive away
• drive off
• fend off
• hold off
• rebuff
• resist
• ward off
• withstand