View synonyms for repulse

repulse

[ ri-puhls ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, re·pulsed, re·puls·ing.

to drive back; repel:
to repulse an assailant.
to repel with denial, discourtesy, or the like; refuse or reject.
Synonyms: snub, shun, spurn, rebuff
to cause feelings of repulsion in:
The scenes of violence in the film may repulse some viewers.

noun

the act of repelling.
the fact of being repelled, as in hostile encounter.
a refusal or rejection.

repulse

/ rɪˈpʌls /

verb

to drive back or ward off (an attacking force); repel; rebuff
to reject with coldness or discourtesy
she repulsed his advances
to produce a feeling of aversion or distaste

noun

the act or an instance of driving back or warding off; rebuff
a cold discourteous rejection or refusal

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Usage

Some people think that the use of repulse in sentences such as he was repulsed by what he saw is incorrect and that the correct word is repel

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Derived Forms

reˈpulser, noun

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Other Words From

re·pulser noun
unre·pulsed adjective
unre·pulsing adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of repulse¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin repulsus, past participle of repellere to repel

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Word History and Origins

Origin of repulse¹

C16: from Latin repellere to drive back, repel

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Example Sentences

How did warring, factionalized city-states on the edge of the known world repulse the first superpower?

From The Daily Beast

And if I were Christie, a song like "41 Shots" would repulse me.

From The Daily Beast

The Repulse Isles are of small size; they are surrounded by rocks, which do not extend more than a quarter of a mile from them.

From Project Gutenberg

Gwynne was not in the humor to repulse anybody, and assured her that she really made him feel that he had returned to his home.

From Project Gutenberg

The three men leaped to their feet, and seizing their arms, prepared bravely to repulse the enemies who attacked them so suddenly.

From Project Gutenberg

Her repulse was a mortal offence: small minds never forget, much less pardon a rebuke to their vanity, and he inly swore revenge.

From Project Gutenberg

In a sortie Bohemond the crafty and brave was wounded; Tancred's and Godfrey's valor ended in repulse.

From Project Gutenberg

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repugnant repulsion

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