repel

Meaning

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

Synonyms

repulse

reject

disgust

drive away

drive back

push back

refuse

spurn

ward off

parry

rebuff

revolt

fight off

push away

beat back

exclude

remove

expel

dismiss

resist

sicken

disavow

send back

fend off

chase away

resend

relay

beat off

drive

force back

nauseate

decline

shun

snub

disapprove

condemn

disallow

fend

disagree

shake off

repress

repudiate

emboss

refuse to accept

eject

drive off

chase

rebuke

rebut

oppose

Translations

repousser

respingere

afstoten

abstoßen

repel·lir

repeler

verjagen

rechazar

abschlagen

abweisen

wegjagen

verdrijven

wegdrijven

vertreiben

απωθώ

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɹɪˈpɛl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: repellen

In summary

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.