verb

repel

rih-PEHL

verb

To drive back or fight off an attack or attacker.

"The soldiers managed to repel the invasion."

"The castle walls were built to repel any siege."

To keep something away by physical or chemical force.

"This spray helps repel mosquitoes."

To cause strong dislike or disgust in someone.

"The smell of the fish market repelled her."

How to Use Repel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo push something away — physically, chemically, or emotionally.

Easily confused with

repeal →

Common pairings

repel insects repel an attack repel water

Word Forms

repelled past tense, repel plural, repelled plural, repels singular, repel singular, repelled singular, repellest singular, repelledst singular, repelleth singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “repel” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The soldiers managed to _____ the invasion.

Etymology

From Old French repeller, from Latin repellere, "to drive back," from re- plus pellere, "to push or drive." A doublet of repeal.

Antonyms

attract

Related Words

pull attract

People Also Searched

attract pull