repelling 1 of 2

adjective

as in repellent

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repelling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of repel
1
as in repulsing
to drive back the defenders repelled the attacking army after several hours of fierce fighting

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2
as in disgusting
to cause to feel disgust the idea of chocolate-covered grasshoppers repels me

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3
as in resisting
to refuse to give in to repelled the temptation to stay out late and call in sick the next day

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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 repelling
Verb
Most claims about cornstarch in gardening, such as repelling ants or boosting water retention, lack scientific evidence. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026 Eucalyptus Oil Eucalyptus oil works similarly to peppermint oil in repelling mice. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 2026 This is more than a sophisticated arms race aimed at repelling threats and protecting borders. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 The Build Forward Ukraine team was also aware of Irpin and the special role the city had played in the dark early days, repelling the Russian ground offensive aimed at taking Kyiv, 14 miles south. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Aug. 2026 The meager platoon was a consolation from Lord Borros, who claims to be too busy repelling the Dornish to come to his queen’s aid. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 27 July 2026 We Baltimoreans treasure the role the 1814 battle played in repelling the mighty British forces, which were forced to abandon their siege of Fort McHenry. — Michel A. Ibrahim, Baltimore Sun, 25 July 2026 Argentina’s wily, extroverted goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, was its standout performer, repelling some, spilling others. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 During the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–88, which Khomeini prolonged for several years after repelling the Iraqi invasion, a disproportionate burden fell on Iranians in the southwestern and western provinces. — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repelling
  1. repellent
  2. repulsing
  3. disgusting
  4. resisting
  5. repulsive
  6. appalling
  7. opposing
  8. revolting
Adjective
  • If insect repellent is used with sunscreen, the agency recommends applying sunscreen first and then repellent.
    — Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Their road trip veers profanely off course with Sheridan exhibiting a cruel streak that’s viscous, sociopathic and even repellent.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of repellent
Verb
  • While there are dismemberments and other bits of gruesome violence to be found in the film, Badlands is largely aimed at endearing its audience rather than repulsing them.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Definition of repulsing
Verb
  • The consequences of disgusting one’s wife, whether or not one agrees with her premise, could be enormous.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Discharge Papers • Aw, The Pitt is back and happy to be disgusting again!
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Verb
  • Stanley is accused of blocking Rajabi’s car with his body, punching Rajabi’s window and resisting arrest.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
  • While half of Gen-Z use AI weekly, 48% of young working people now believe the risks of AI outweigh the benefits, and 44% of Gen-Z workers (subscription required) surveyed in one report admit to actively resisting their companies' AI efforts.
    — Michael Chavira, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of resisting
Adjective
  • Sport is full of bad actors expediting the death of discourse with repulsive antics.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • By their very nature, hydrogen atoms tend to be electrically repulsive to each other.
    — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026
Definition of repulsive
Verb
  • The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers.
    — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
  • Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.
    — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Definition of appalling
Verb
  • Hahn said that the opposing viewpoints could have been more thoroughly debated, had the project been subject to CEQA review.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The majority of Paxton’s rally focused on religion, cutting costs of living and opposing Democratic nominee James Talarico.
    — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of opposing
Adjective
  • Their dynamic is instead a cudgel to beat the film into an even more revolting shape.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • Babies and toddlers will put just about anything in their mouths, including objects that adults find profoundly revolting.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Definition of revolting

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repelling
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Cite this Entry

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

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