repel

[ri-pel] / rɪˈpɛl /

VERB

push away; repulse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

buck check cool cut decline dismiss disown dispute duel fight kick oppose parry rebut refuse reject traverse

WEAK

beat back beat off brush off cast aside drive back force back force off give cold shoulder to hold back keep at arm's length keep at bay keep off knock down push back put down put to flight stand up against stave off turn down

Antonyms

STRONG

accept agree aid allow approve assist help increase sanction support

WEAK

attract draw

VERB

induce aversion

Synonyms

STRONGEST

disgust offend repulse sicken turn off

STRONG

revolt

WEAK

give a pain in neck make sick put off reluct turn one's stomach

Antonyms

STRONGEST

appeal enchant please

WEAK

attract draw

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.

These chemicals are used to repel oil and water and can also contribute to flame resistance.

From Science Daily

As an adult, I’ve tried to will myself back into enthrallment with this plucky heroine who repels a scary hobo, bravely goes without food and saves a poor Italian immigrant when others are against her.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Despite the tough situation, the defense forces are continuing to repel the enemy advance,” it said on social media.

From The Wall Street Journal

Domestic drama, with its psychological epiphanies and sentimental resolutions, repelled him.

From Los Angeles Times

Clad in military fatigues and armed with rifles loaded with blank cartridges, members of the Lithuanian Rifleman’s Union, or LRU, a state-funded paramilitary group, spent several days training to repel a possible enemy attack.

From The Wall Street Journal

repel

Example Sentences

Related Words