repulse — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To repel or drive back.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   to repulse an assault; to repulse the enemy

   More examples (1)

   If we fail to repulse the enemy within the gates--unemployment, poverty, disorganized agriculture and the like--from whence may we expect the united strength and clear purpose to repulse any outside force?

2. To reject or rebuff.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   to repulse a suitor

   More examples (1)

   At the end of a week, she could bear the suspense no longer, and so went humbly to her old home and sought forgiveness. She was not repulsed, but her reception was cold; and this hurt her almost as badly.

3. To cause revulsion in; to repel.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   The smell of rotting food repulsed me.

   I find your conduct reprehensible, disgusting, and it repulses me, the way a mongoose repulses a snake.

Noun

1. The act of repulsing or the state of being repulsed.

2. Refusal, rejection or repulsion.

Noun

1. an instance of driving away or warding off

   Synonyms

   rebuffsnub

   Broader terms

   rejection

Verb

1. force or drive back

   Synonyms

   repelfight offrebuffdrive back

   Broader terms

   fightopposefight backfight downdefend

   Examples

   repel the attacker

   fight off the onslaught

   More examples (1)

   rebuff the attack

2. be repellent to; cause aversion in

   Synonyms

   repel

   Broader terms

   displease

3. cause to move back by force or influence

   Synonyms

   repeldriveforce backpush backbeat back

   Broader terms

   pushforce

   Examples

   repel the enemy

   push back the urge to smoke

   More examples (1)

   beat back the invaders