to repel
21
4.2
- verb
- /rɪˈpɛl/
:
repeler
- The soldiers worked together to repel the enemy forces during the battle.
- repel the threat
- repel an invasion
- repel aggression
Basically you have nuclei and the nuclei repel each other.
- Basically you have nuclei and the nuclei repel each other.
- So there are three sets of bonding electrons that will be repelled pretty strongly.
- These lenses have a new high resistance technology in them that helps repel dust and prevent scratches.
- Again like charges attract and unlike charges repel.
- Charge opposite charges attract like charges repel.
- The first one was that when helium atoms touch each other, they repel.
- The, the, the self identical must repel itself from itself.
- So these electrons form a kind of cloud of fast moving repelling particles.
- It's breathable, repel bullets and rain.
Examples
-
Officially, they were there to repel boarders and provide combat assistance if needed.
Fiction book (2002) -
They had to repel a few Indian attacks as they were building it.
-
We must position them to repel an invasion.
-
Why is it acceptable to repel the threat in his case but not theirs?
Academic text (2001) -
I will return, and together, we will repel the invaders.
-
The National Guard has been called out, fully armed, to repel the invader.
-
Lepidus's soldiers were stationed nearby, and they were able to repel the mob and save the temple.
-
A series of ditches was used as trenches to repel the enemy assault.
Academic text (2003) -
It repels our enemies and protects us from harm.
-
Fighting desperately rifle to rifle, American GI's repel and destroy a massive German panzer army.
Synonyms
187
1.6
Stop someone or something from coming near
97
3.9
Force a person or thing to move backward in body and feeling
87
7.4
To stop someone from doing what they want
51
3.7
To keep away an attack, illness, or strong unwanted feeling
47
2.5
Make a person or animal go away because they are afraid
43
3.2
To stop other people from getting close to you emotionally
34
4.4
To keep harmful or unpleasant things away from you
34
3.9
Keep unwanted people or things away so they do not harm you
19
4.1
Force someone or something to move away from danger
14
6.0
To force someone or something to move away
10
4.9
Make people or things move backward by using strength and stop feelings by holding them back
7
7.0
To make someone or something go away
3
7.9
To drive back an attack or enemy force
1
8.1
Make animals or people who attack you go away
To drive away insects and small animals that harm plants or homes
Antonyms
Phrasal Verbs
How Forceful
Surface Forms
Morphology
repel = re + pel
Although 're-' suggests 'back' and the historical sense is 'drive back', the root 'pel' is not a standalone English word, so an average B1 learner cannot derive the meaning from visible parts.
Etymology
Repel comes from an old Latin verb made of re- 'back' and pellere 'to drive'. So to repel something is to 'drive back' or push it away, which is why a spray can repel insects or soldiers can repel an attack.