DISPEL Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'dispel' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dispel are disperse , dissipate , and scatter . While all these words mean "to cause to separate or break up," dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering. // an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

Q: When would 'disperse' be a good substitute for 'dispel'?

While in some cases nearly identical to dispel , disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group. // police dispersed the crowd

Q: When could 'dissipate' be used to replace 'dispel'?

The words dissipate and dispel can be used in similar contexts, but dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance. // the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

Q: When might 'scatter' be a better fit than 'dispel'?

The meanings of scatter and dispel largely overlap; however, scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions. // the bowling ball scattered the pins

dispel

verb

di-ˈspel

Definition of dispel next

as in to disperse

to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart the sudden downpour dispelled the throng of street revelers

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How does the verb dispel differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dispel are disperse, dissipate, and scatter. While all these words mean "to cause to separate or break up," dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering.

an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

When would disperse be a good substitute for dispel?

While in some cases nearly identical to dispel, disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group.

police dispersed the crowd

When could dissipate be used to replace dispel?

The words dissipate and dispel can be used in similar contexts, but dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance.

the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

When might scatter be a better fit than dispel?

The meanings of scatter and dispel largely overlap; however, scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions.

the bowling ball scattered the pins

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dispel The actor also dispelled the notion that Irish people wear kilts. —

Anne McCarthy, Variety, 8 Dec. 2024 Meanwhile, Welch and her team have taken to social media to dispel the notion that the meme coin was a scam. —

Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024 However, Lloyd's management team quickly released a statement dispelling those reports. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024 If there was any worry that What Had Happened Was… was going to be a Trojan horse of a title, enticing us with the promise of the whole story before baiting and switching us in favor of observational comedy about seatbelts, it’s dispelled instantly. —

Lucy Ford, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dispel