Synonyms for repel
Definitions
- v. 1
To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.).
- v. 2
To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.).
- v. 3
To drive back (an assailant, advancing force etc.).
Forms
- Past participle
- repelled
e.g. repelled → repulsed, driven, rebuffed, resisted…
Choose the right word
One may be driven to a thing or from it; hence, drive is a synonym equally for compel or for repel or repulse.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- repulse They failed to repulse our attack.
- resist Tom and Mary said they couldn't resist doing that.
- rebuff Tom didn't expect Mary to rebuff his advance.
By length
- 4 letters
- snub1
- 5 letters
- check1, drive1, deter2, parry2, rebut2
- 6 letters
- combat2, refuse2, resist2, reject2, oppose2, revolt2, rebuff2
- 7 letters
- decline2, disgust2, repulse2
- 8 letters
- nauseate3
- 9 letters
- withstand2
- 10 letters
- disattract
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (deter2 = 2 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- repousser
- Deutsch
- zurückstoßen