Other

repel

Pronunciation: /rɪˈpɛl/

Definition of repel

[with object]

1drive or force (an attack or attacker) back or away:government units sought to repel the rebels
(of a magnetic pole or electric field) force (something similarly magnetized or charged) away from itself:electrically charged objects attract or repel one another [no object]:like poles repel and unlike poles attract
(of a substance) resist mixing with or be impervious to (another substance):boots with good-quality leather uppers to repel moisture

2be repulsive or distasteful to:she was repelled by the permanent smell of drink on his breath

3 formal refuse to accept (something, especially an argument or theory):the alleged right of lien led by the bankrupt’s solicitor was repelled

Derivatives

late Middle English: from Latin repellere, from re- 'back' + pellere 'to drive'

Double the l when adding endings which begin with a vowel to words which end in a vowel plus l (as in travel): (repels, repelling, repelled).

Definition of repel in the US English dictionary

Nearby words