1
as in to repulse
to drive back
the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disgust
to cause to feel disgust
the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to resist
to refuse to give in to
repelled the temptation to stay out late and call in sick the next day
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of repel
Russia recognized Abkhazia and another breakaway region, South Ossetia, as independent states in 2008 after Russian troops repelled a Georgian attempt to retake South Ossetia in a five-day war.
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Reuters, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
These treatments offer deep-conditioning benefits, and if your hair frequently suffers at the hands of your curling iron, taking the time to do a hair mask can go a long way in boosting hydration and repelling dryness.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 14 Nov. 2024
Because oil is hydrophobic (repels water), washing with just water is usually insufficient to clean hair.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024
Some repel deer with a disagreeable taste, such as hot pepper.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for repel 
Reuters, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024
These treatments offer deep-conditioning benefits, and if your hair frequently suffers at the hands of your curling iron, taking the time to do a hair mask can go a long way in boosting hydration and repelling dryness.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 14 Nov. 2024
Because oil is hydrophobic (repels water), washing with just water is usually insufficient to clean hair.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024
Some repel deer with a disagreeable taste, such as hot pepper.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for repel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repel
Verb
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She’s repulsed by her husband, Jim (Clifford Kershaw), whose grabby hands demand her body and attention, often without her consent.Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
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Over decades, my attempts to conquer the Spanish language have been repulsed.Calvin Trillin, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024
Verb
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In the mid-1970s, disgusted by the corruption in his hometown of Jersey City, Cashin ran for mayor.Bob Pisani, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2024
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The Republicans who rid us of Nixon in 1974 would be disgusted.Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The president apologized to the nation on Saturday morning but resisted calls to resign ahead of the vote.Cynthia Kim, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
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Clients Resisting Change; Coaches Not Building Trust Executive coaching may not succeed if the client resists change and seeks validation rather than growth.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The cucumbers have been linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 68 people in 19 states so far, including 18 hospitalizations, according to the FDA.Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
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The recall stemmed from a Salmonella outbreak that, as of Nov. 26, has sickened at least 68 people, 18 of whom have been hospitalized.Korin Miller, Health, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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On Saturday, the group stormed the city of Homs where the Syrian rebellion began in 2011, also releasing prisoners who had opposed Assad's regime and languished in Syria's infamous jails for years.ABC News, ABC News, 8 Dec. 2024
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Yoon's party called for his removal on Friday, although the party remained formally opposed to impeachment.Landon Mion, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Just as cybercriminals continue to refine their attack techniques, organizations need to adopt new identity verification measures designed to withstand social engineering.Michael Engle, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
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Some can withstand strong winds, while others crumble under the slightest of breezes.Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near repel
Cite this Entry
“Repel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repel. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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