as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
the waiter's incredibly rude repulse of our polite request for a better table—one that wasn't right next to the kitchen—prompted us to walk out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to disgust
to cause to feel disgust
the smell of that town's paper mill totally repulses me
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to repel
to drive back
the defense repeatedly repulsed all of the offense's attempts to move the ball forward, keeping them firmly planted on the 20-yard line
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of repulse
Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2021
Yet Mr Trump’s decision to change course represents neither a disastrous retreat nor a major moral repulse.
—The Economist, 23 June 2018
David Axe, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Dexter is repulsed by the whole scene, and really who can blame him?
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Noun
Stories about chemical and biological weapons are often oversold, for the same reason stories of cannibalistic serial killers are: Peculiar forms of murder repulse and excite us, and old-fashioned forms do not.
—Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2021
Yet Mr Trump’s decision to change course represents neither a disastrous retreat nor a major moral repulse.
—The Economist, 23 June 2018
Verb
Today, Ukrainian troops repulsed yet another attack by the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade around Pogrebki, the Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies reported.
—David Axe, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Dexter is repulsed by the whole scene, and really who can blame him?
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for repulse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repulse
Noun
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Some people might say the same about Menke’s dismissal.—
Chris Gardner,
The Hollywood Reporter,
1 Mar. 2025
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The intrigue: Rahn, a disabled U.S. Army veteran, worked as a civilian federal government employee for about five years before his dismissal, but was considered probationary because he'd been promoted from the Department of Defense to his role with CISA within the past year.—
Jessica Boehm,
Axios,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Once again, DeSantis has gone too far — in this case, ideologically and geographically — and people who surely voted for him in the state’s most conservative region are disgusted.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
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Trump and Vance have never seen war up close, but are still disgusted by it.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Kitchens: In kitchens, runners repel the inevitable greases and liquids that come with cooking.—
BestReviews,
The Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2025
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The 200-day has been an important level, repelling multiple relief rallies over the past year, including last month.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The union’s wherewithal to resist the cap has become almost part and parcel of its identity and there has never been any indication that the players are prepared to give in now.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
-
As Hill resists sitting down, another officer jumps from behind him, place an arm around his chest, and pulls him to the ground as Hill continues shouting about knee surgery.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Apparently undeterred by Greenland and Denmark’s rejection of his advances, Trump has repeatedly returned to the subject of the U.S.′ claim of ownership.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2025
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Black women business owners who apply for funding face a 3x higher rejection rate than that of white business owners according to recent data.—
Jasmine Browley,
Essence,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Recognizing key signs of the illness is especially pertinent right now: A measles outbreak spanning neighboring counties in Texas and New Mexico has sickened more than 120 people as of the time this story was published (up from around 20 cases earlier this month) and killed one child.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
28 Feb. 2025
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The outbreak has sickened nearly 40 people, and 12 have died of listeria infection.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Soule is a former high school track and field athlete and four-time National Qualifier who was forced out of a regional championship due to two trans athletes taking women’s spots and who lost out on the chance to earn attention from college scouts and potential scholarships because of those snubs.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
28 Feb. 2025
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On a trip to Germany earlier this month, Vance met with Weidel but did not meet with Scholz, the sitting chancellor of Germany, a clear snub.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Dismay or appall you, sure, but never surprise you.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
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That kind of appalls me to think that people need not expect that of themselves.—
David Marchese Photograph by Mamadi Doumbouya,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Repulse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repulse. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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