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

These include Ukraine, where the former president has criticised the scale of US support for its efforts to repel Russia's invasion and suggested he wants to see a deal to end the conflict "within 24 hours" when he takes office in January.

From BBC

Clearing the burned plants, amending the fire-scarred soil so it wouldn’t repel water, and buying new plants, landscaping cloth, berms to hold the soil and irrigation lines cost more than $26,000.

From Los Angeles Times

I vacillated frenetically between oversize and undersize clothes, ambivalent about whether I wanted to draw attention or repel it.

From Los Angeles Times

She said she followed council advice to repel the bugs and pest control has sprayed her home five times, but they keep returning.

From BBC

However, he said that "those who are afar and nearby" should know that "we usually embarrass and repel those who dare try to invade us".

From BBC

Related Words

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