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   Re·pel

   /rəˈpel/

   

   verb

   • 1. drive or force (an attack or attacker) back or away: "they sought to repel the enemy with their machine guns" Similar fight offrepulsedrive back/awayput to flightforce backbeat backpush backthrust backhold offward offfend offstand offstave offparrykeep at baykeep at arm's lengthfoilcheckfrustratesee offinformal:send packingarchaic:rebut
   • ▪ (of a magnetic pole or electric field) force (something similarly magnetized or charged) away from itself: "electrically charged objects attract or repel one another"
   • ▪ (of a substance) resist mixing with or be impervious to (another substance): "boots with good-quality leather uppers to repel moisture" Similar be impervious tobe impermeable tokeep outbe resistant toresistOpposite attractabsorblet through
   • 2. be repulsive or distasteful to: "she was repelled by the permanent smell of drink on his breath" Similar revoltdisgustrepulsesickennauseatemake someone feel sickturn someone's stomachbe repulsive tobe extremely distasteful tobe repugnant tomake shuddermake someone's flesh creepmake someone's skin crawlmake someone's gorge riseput offoffendhorrifyinformal:turn offgive someone the creepsgive someone the heebie-jeebiesmake someone want to throw upgross outOpposite delight
   • 3. refuse to accept (something, especially an argument or theory): formal "the alleged right of lien led by the bankrupt's attorney was repelled"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Latin repellere, from re- ‘back’ + pellere ‘to drive’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. repeller noun

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • P

     3

   • E

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   • L

     1

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryREPEL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   to force someone or something to stop moving towards you or attacking you: It is not true that eating garlic repels mosquitoes. The defenders repelled the attack without losing any men. (of a material) to not allow a substance to be absorbed into it: This coat has a special surface that repels moisture.

3. www.thefreedictionary.com › repelRepel - definition of repel by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › repel

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   1. To ward off or keep away; drive back: repel insects. 2. To offer resistance to; fight against: repel an invasion. 3. To refuse to accept or submit to; reject: a company that was trying to repel a hostile takeover. 4. To refuse to accept (someone); spurn. 5. To cause aversion or distaste in: Your rudeness repels everyone. See Synonyms at disgust.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › repelRepel - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › repel

   The word repel can be used to describe the act of driving something away, as in the case of bugs or other pesky critters, including potential suitors. It can also be used to describe something that causes disgust or distaste. For example, the thought of eating snails might repel you.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › repelREPEL Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › repel

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   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.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishREPEL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   3 days ago · repel in British English. (rɪˈpɛl ) verb Word forms: -pels, -pelling, -pelled (mainly tr) 1. to force or drive back (something or somebody, esp an attacker) 2. (also intr) to produce a feeling of aversion or distaste in (someone or something); be disgusting (to) 3. to push aside; dismiss.

7. www.yourdictionary.com › repelRepel Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › repel

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   Verb. Filter. verb. repelled, repelling, repels. To drive or force back; hold or ward off. To repel an attack. Webster's New World. Similar definitions. To offer resistance to; fight against. Repel an invasion. American Heritage. To refuse to accept, agree to, or submit to; reject. To repel advances. Webster's New World. Similar definitions.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishrepel verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   [transitive] repel something to drive, push or keep something away. a cream that repels insects. The fabric has been treated to repel water. [transitive] repel somebody (not used in the progressive tenses) to make somebody feel horror or disgust synonym disgust, repulse. I was repelled by the smell. Extra Examples. Topics Feelings c2.