dispel
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to drive off in various directions; disperse; dissipate.
to dispel the dense fog.
- Antonyms:
- gather
-
to cause to vanish; alleviate.
to dispel her fears.
verb
Related Words
See scatter.
Other Word Forms
- dispellable adjective
- dispeller noun
- undispellable adjective
- undispelled adjective
Etymology
Origin of dispel
First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin dispellere “to drive asunder,” equivalent to dis- dis- 1 + pellere “to drive”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dr Sauvage said the most important approach was to speak directly to families and "dispel any concerns they have about side effects or problems with the vaccine, which is safe".
From BBC
That image of Frank will do little to dispel the narrative the Tottenham job was simply too big for him.
From BBC
Frank needed to make an instant impact to dispel the doubts.
From BBC
Streeting has said he was releasing his own messages to dispel suggestions he had "something to hide" over his relationship with Lord Mandelson.
From BBC
Mr. Newman also dispels the belief that great ideas are entirely new.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
