DISPEL Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'dispel' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dispel are disperse , dissipate , and scatter . While all these words mean "to cause to separate or break up," dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering. // an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

Q: When would 'disperse' be a good substitute for 'dispel'?

While in some cases nearly identical to dispel , disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group. // police dispersed the crowd

Q: When could 'dissipate' be used to replace 'dispel'?

The words dissipate and dispel can be used in similar contexts, but dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance. // the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

Q: When might 'scatter' be a better fit than 'dispel'?

The meanings of scatter and dispel largely overlap; however, scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions. // the bowling ball scattered the pins

dispel

verb

di-ˈspel

Definition of dispel

as in to disperse

to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart the sudden downpour dispelled the throng of street revelers

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How does the verb dispel differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dispel are disperse, dissipate, and scatter. While all these words mean "to cause to separate or break up," dispel stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by scattering.

an authoritative statement that dispelled all doubt

When would disperse be a good substitute for dispel?

While in some cases nearly identical to dispel, disperse implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group.

police dispersed the crowd

When could dissipate be used to replace dispel?

The words dissipate and dispel can be used in similar contexts, but dissipate stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final disappearance.

the fog was dissipated by the morning sun

When might scatter be a better fit than dispel?

The meanings of scatter and dispel largely overlap; however, scatter implies a force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions.

the bowling ball scattered the pins

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dispel Leaders of the Christian faith spoke out about dispelling Lang's claims. — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Speaking on a recent episode of the podcast, the former Miss Kansas USA and marathon runner dispelled misconceptions around women's fitness — specifically the belief that lifting heavy weights leads to a bulky physique. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 The fact that this was untrue—Holmes had dyed his hair red, but not for that reason—did little to dispel the rumor, which seemed to fit the popular belief that violent, dystopian art has the power to induce some viewers to commit terrible crimes. — Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026 The findings provide fresh insight into how closely human behavior influences the Earth’s subtle seismic signals, while also helping to dispel the long-standing myth that eclipses can trigger earthquakes. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dispel

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dispel

disperse

Verb

Smotrich and his partners have dispersed new settlements in places with high tactical importance, deliberately separating areas under Palestinian control to disrupt the territorial continuity that could one day form the basis of a Palestinian state.

— Amos Harel, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2026
But within seconds, an air raid alert sounded, and the crowd dispersed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of disperse

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dispatching

dispel

dispelled

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“Dispel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dispel. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dispel

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