repel

/rɪˈpɛl/

to force someone or something to move away

The strong wind repelled the smoke from the chimney.

The wind pushed the smoke away from the chimney.

general

To drive or force someone or something away by using force or persuasion.

The security guards repelled the intruders with pepper spray.

The guards used pepper spray to force the intruders away.

Often used in contexts involving physical force or strong persuasion.

general

To reject or refuse to accept something.

The company repelled the offer because it was too low.

The company refused the offer because it was insufficient.

Used in both literal and figurative senses.

Collocations

repel an attackto defend against an attackrepel an offerto refuse an offerrepel an intruderto force an intruder away

to force the enemy to retreat

to reject an argument

Remember that 'repel' can mean both physical force and rejection of ideas or offers.

Always consider whether 'repel' is being used in a physical or figurative sense.

From Middle English 'repellen', from Old French 'repeller', from Latin 'repellere' (to drive back), from 're-' (back) + 'pellere' (to drive).

Can be used both literally (physical force) and figuratively (rejecting ideas or offers).

re-

back

prefix

-pel

to drive

root

English Dictionary