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repel
[ ri-pel ]
verb (used with object)
- to drive or force back (an assailant, invader, etc.).
Antonyms: attract
- to thrust back or away.
- to resist effectively (an attack, onslaught, etc.).
- to keep off or out; fail to mix with:
Water and oil repel each other.
- to resist the absorption or passage of (water or other liquid):
This coat repels rain.
- to refuse to have to do with; resist involvement in:
to repel temptation.
- to refuse to accept or admit; reject:
to repel a suggestion.
- to discourage the advances of (a person):
He repelled me with his harshness.
- to cause distaste or aversion in:
Their untidy appearance repelled us.
- to push back or away by a force, as one body acting upon another ( attract ):
The north pole of one magnet will repel the north pole of another.
verb (used without object)
- to act with a force that drives or keeps away something.
- to cause distaste or aversion.
repel
/ rɪˈpɛl /
verb
- to force or drive back (something or somebody, esp an attacker)
- also intr to produce a feeling of aversion or distaste in (someone or something); be disgusting (to)
- to push aside; dismiss
he repelled the suggestion as wrong and impossible
- to be effective in keeping away, controlling, or resisting
an aerosol spray that repels flies
- to have no affinity for; fail to mix with or absorb
water and oil repel each other
- to disdain to accept (something); turn away from or spurn
she repelled his advances
- also intr to exert an opposing force on (something)
an electric charge repels another charge of the same sign
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Usage
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Derived Forms
- reˈpeller, noun
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Other Words From
- re·pellence re·pellen·cy noun
- re·peller noun
- re·pelling·ly adverb
- re·pelling·ness noun
- nonre·pellence noun
- nonre·pellen·cy noun
- nonre·peller noun
- self-re·pellen·cy noun
- unre·pelled adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of repel1
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Example Sentences
The only exception is military action to repel an imminent attack.
Bieber now knows his perfect body is no longer the weaponry with which to repel his bad press.
It was easy to imagine that the landscape was actively trying to repel us.
On paper, the forces in Tikrit should have been more than adequate to repel even a force of this size.
Scuffles broke out with riot police, who used pepper spray to repel party members wielding Greek flags on thick wooden sticks.
A dignified, modest reserve is the surest way to repel impertinence.
They were ready to adopt the most energetic measures to repel the interference of this armed confederacy.
Douglas was advancing to repel the assailants when he was informed of the force in rear, and instantly drew back his men.
The men of his company, roaring curses at the Frenchmen, prepare to receive and repel a thundering charge of French cuirassiers.
An always wrathful God would repel His worshipers, or cast them into despair.
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