English Explanatory Dictionary

repel

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To turn (someone) away from a privilege, right, job, etc.
To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.).
To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.).
To drive back (an assailant, advancing force etc.).
To force away by means of a repulsive force.
To cause repulsion or dislike in; to disgust.
To save (a shot).

Pronunciation

rĭ-pĕlʹ /ɹɪˈpɛl/ en-us-repel.ogg en-au-repel.ogg

Word forms

repel repels repelling repelled no-table-tags glossary repellest repelledst repelleth

Etymology

From Middle English repellen, a borrowing from Old French *repeller, from Latin repellere (“to drive back”), from re- (“back”) + pellere (“to drive”). Doublet of repeal.

Antonyms

attract

Related words

repellency repellent repulse repulsion repulsive

Derived words

repellable repeller repellingly repellingness unrepelled

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