repel

CEFRC2

/ɹɪˈpɛl/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To drive away or keep something away.

  2. 02

    verb

    To make someone feel strong dislike.

Examples

  • I call the living, I mourn the dead, I repel lightning.

  • The people could repel the invasion.

At a glance

Sits at C2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
4

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.).

  2. To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.).

  3. To turn (someone) away from a privilege, right, job, etc.

More examples

In context

  • There are plants that repel insects.

  • In nearby Zintan, rebels repelled an advance by Gaddafi's forces, killing eight and taking one prisoner, a local activist said.

  • It is some satisfaction to him that is repelled, that dignities, honours, offices, are not alwayes given by desert or worth, but for love, affinitie, friendship, affection, great mens letters, or as commonly they are bought and sold.

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The new raincoat is designed to blank water and keep the wearer dry.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

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.