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repel

re·pel
R r

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [ri-pel]
    • /rɪˈpɛl/
    • /rɪˈpel/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [ri-pel]
    • /rɪˈpɛl/

Definitions of repel word

  • verb with object repel to drive or force back (an assailant, invader, etc.). 1
  • verb with object repel to thrust back or away. 1
  • verb with object repel to resist effectively (an attack, onslaught, etc.). 1
  • verb with object repel to keep off or out; fail to mix with: Water and oil repel each other. 1
  • verb with object repel to resist the absorption or passage of (water or other liquid): This coat repels rain. 1
  • verb with object repel to refuse to have to do with; resist involvement in: to repel temptation. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of repel

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English repellen < Latin repellere to drive back, equivalent to re- re- + pellere to drive, push; see repulse

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Repel

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

repel popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

repel usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for repel

verb repel

  • altercate — to argue, esp heatedly; dispute
  • antagonize — If you antagonize someone, you make them feel angry or hostile towards you.
  • back — If you move back, you move in the opposite direction to the one in which you are facing or in which you were moving before.
  • beat off — to drive back; repel
  • beg off — to ask to be released from an engagement, obligation, etc

Antonyms for repel

verb repel

  • absorb — If something absorbs a liquid, gas, or other substance, it soaks it up or takes it in.
  • accede — If you accede to someone's request, you do what they ask.
  • accessed — the ability, right, or permission to approach, enter, speak with, or use; admittance: They have access to the files.
  • accessing — the ability, right, or permission to approach, enter, speak with, or use; admittance: They have access to the files.
  • admit — If you admit that something bad, unpleasant, or embarrassing is true, you agree, often unwillingly, that it is true.

Top questions with repel

  • how to repel mosquitoes?
  • how to repel flies?
  • what plants repel mosquitoes?
  • how to repel ladybugs?
  • what does repel mean?
  • how to repel mice?
  • how to repel spiders?
  • what kind of plants repel mosquitoes?
  • how to repel cockroaches?
  • how to repel bed bugs from skin?
  • how to repel snakes?
  • how to repel cats?
  • how to repel sweat bees?
  • how to repel bees?
  • how to repel frogs?

See also

Matching words

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