Word Explorer
Children's
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
Intermediate Dictionary
     
Lookup History
repel

re·pel

repel

 
 
pronunciation:
rih pel
features:
Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: verb
inflections: repels, repelling, repelled
definition 1: to ward off or force back.
This spray repels insects.These magnets are repelling each other.
See a movie for this meaning
 
antonyms:
allure, attract, lure
similar words:
dispel, disperse, expel, oust, resist, rout
definition 2: to keep out; resist.
The raincoat repels water.Oil and water repel each other.
synonyms:
resist, ward off, withstand
antonyms:
absorb
similar words:
avert, shed
definition 3: to cause to feel disgust.
I was repelled by the rotten food.
synonyms:
disgust, revolt
antonyms:
attract, bewitch, lure, tempt
similar words:
appall
derivations: repellingly (adv.), repellence (repellency) (n.), repeller (n.)
Word Explorer
See
  emotion
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature