How to Use repel in a Sentence

repel

verb
Definition of repelnext
Synonyms for repelnext
  • Magnets can both repel and attract one another.
  • Their superior forces repelled the invasion.
  • Two positive electrical charges repel each other.
  • Like charges repel, so the force pushes the silk off the ground to help the spider take flight.
    — Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Oct. 2021
  • Or store with cedar to repel pests and impart a fresh scent.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2023
  • Made of 100% polyester, the fabric repels water to help keep mold and mildew away.
    — Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024
  • For a time Ukraine seemed poised to repel the invasion.
    — Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Your message and style will attract the right people and repel the wrong crowd.
    — Fariba Rahimi, Forbes, 28 Apr. 2021
  • Over the course of seven weeks in fall 1892, Dahomey’s army fought valiantly to repel the French.
    — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Sep. 2022
  • Videos showed police using stun grenades to repel the crowds.
    — Christian Edwards, CNN, 13 June 2024
  • Campfires are thought to be a cheap and easy way to repel mosquitoes.
    — Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2023
  • But the opposite proved true; Ukraine repelled the invasion, and the city was saved.
    — Josh Rogin, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
  • Spritz on this bug spray and repel mosquitoes for up to six hours.
    — Lauren Oster, Health.com, 23 Apr. 2021
  • They are both deeply bonded to each other and repelled by each other at the same time.
    — Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 7 Dec. 2023
  • The patches go on your clothes or bag and claim to repel mosquitoes up to 3 feet away for eight hours.
    — Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, 23 June 2022
  • These shoes will repel fluids and prevent stains, all while looking quite stylish in the process.
    — Rebecca Norris, Woman's Day, 10 Mar. 2023
  • But what if drones weren’t just used to detect sharks… but also repel them?
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 12 Apr. 2021
  • Birds are not repelled by capsaicin—and this might keep chipmunks away.
    — Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 30 Aug. 2023
  • He is dressed in a pilgrim’s fur overcoat to repel rain and retain warmth.
    — Virginia Raguin, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Not only that, but the vinyl-like coating repels water, crumbs, sand, and dirt.
    — Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 3 June 2024
  • Sesay’s shot is repelled by the Chelsea goalkeeper but the loose ball falls kindly for Amari Perkins, who turns in the rebound.
    — Stuart James, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The formula is stain-blocking and designed to retain the paint's shine while repelling dirt and scuff marks.
    — Nor'adila Hepburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Oct. 2023
  • This V-neck is designed to repel liquids, stains, and odors, thanks to the special linen-cotton blend and added side vents.
    — Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2023
  • In exchange, the odor of leeks repels many strawberry pests.
    — Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Aug. 2024
  • The sisters, meanwhile, are half drawn in and half repelled by these two men who’ve strayed in from a different world.
    — Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 23 June 2024
  • Buy a mattress pad to repel moisture and protect against dust mites.
    — Daisy Kelly, chicagotribune.com, 11 Apr. 2021
  • These ingredients all work to repel fleas and keep them away from your dog.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2022
  • The audience was repelled and delighted by this public cruelty — the last track soared to the top of the charts.
    — Susan Caskie, theweek, 21 May 2024
  • One shopper added that the fabric repels water better than the sunbrella fabrics on their other furniture.
    — Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Down, even varieties treated with hydrophobic coatings designed to repel water, loses its ability to loft (and keep you warm) when wet.
    — Wes Siler, Outside Online, 29 Jan. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: