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 study found no link between sugar intake and colorectal cancer, dispelling the myth that sugar causes cancer. —

Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 10 Jan. 2025 In a January 2 profile in British GQ, Garfield took the time to dispel rumo(u)rs of his involvement in two upcoming projects. —

Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025 Sunday's 120-119 win over the New Orleans Pelicans didn't dispel the stench of the Boston Celtics' 9-7 funk. —

Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 Fernanda Torres, the daughter of legendary Brazilian actress Fernanda Montenegro, is dispelling the stigma around nepo babies following her Golden Globe win. —

Jack Dunn, Variety, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for dispel