dispel
Americanverb (used with object)
-
dispels,
present (3rd person singular)
-
dispelled,
past participle, past
-
dispelling
present participle
-
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
Synonym Usage
See scatter.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
dispelsimple
-
dispelssimple
-
have dispelledperfect
-
has dispelledperfect
-
am dispellingprogressive
-
are dispellingprogressive
-
is dispellingprogressive
-
have been dispellingperfect progressive
-
has been dispellingperfect progressive
Past
-
dispelledsimple
-
had dispelledperfect
-
was dispellingprogressive
-
were dispellingprogressive
-
had been dispellingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of dispel
First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin dispellere “to drive asunder,” equivalent to dis- dis- 1 + pellere “to drive”
Explanation
To dispel is to get rid of something that's bothering or threatening you, regardless of whether that's warts, worries, or wild dogs. The nifty thing about dispel is that you can use it when talking about emotional problems (such as worries and fears) as well as physical ones (such as wild dogs). Note, however, that when dispel is used in reference to physical foes, it often has the added meaning of scattering your opponents in all directions. So, while you can dispel a pack of wild dogs, you should just chase off or drive away a lone wolf. Good luck with that, by the way.
Vocabulary lists containing dispel
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for Middle School Students, List 5
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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.
See Examples For:
They must have hoped the photos would dispel conspiracy theories that he’s dead, or at least incapacitated.
From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2026
Innuendo leaves a lingering stink that’s harder to dispel.
From Slate ● Jul. 17, 2026
Even the picturesque beaches and striking sunsets couldn’t dispel the tension among the members of Earth, Wind & Fire.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
As Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office tried to dispel misinformation about California’s ballot tabulation process, the statement also said, “For the record: we wish the votes were counted faster, too.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026
I rock back and forth a little, to dispel the image of her collapsing in the street from my mind.
From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth
With the understanding that nothing dispels an air of mystery like a hashtag, a number of modern speakeasy successors have clamped down on social-media posts or even phone use altogether.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026
The report also dispels a common view that guns are mainly owned by rural residents.
From BBC ● Dec. 19, 2025
For trans people like me, having an accurate ID dispels the daily fear of being outed when asked to present identification.
From Slate ● Feb. 21, 2025
A newly published copy of his death certificate dispels much of the mystery: According to that document, Valenzuela’s underlying cause of death was possibly related to a liver disease and liver failure.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 12, 2024
Then I remember reading Horatio’s letter, and despair, like a cold wind, dispels the momentary peace.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
But we know that’s just an illusion, one that is dispelled by looking inside the machine.
From Slate ● May 25, 2026
Well, thank you for speaking to me today and hopefully we've dispelled a few myths.
From BBC ● May 2, 2026
The ‘CBS Mornings’ co-host dispelled rumors of a possible departure, staying with the network amid a broader overhaul.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 2026
In a recent blog post, Yardeni characterizes the current worries as ”AI derangement,” a fear that eventually will be dispelled.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 1, 2026
Livingstons results with the bigger magnet dispelled the clouds.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Our findings show clear benefits in key areas of healthy ageing, while also dispelling some of the myths surrounding its use.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 5, 2026
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said he recently held a 2-½-hour meeting with Khamenei, in a public message that appeared aimed at dispelling questions about whether the new leader is indeed alive and running the country.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 10, 2026
Now the Petersen Automotive Museum takes a closer look, dispelling stereotypes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2025
In the decades since, Garten has consciously introduced American audiences to the best parts of French cooking, while also dispelling some long-held misconceptions about the cuisine and culture.
From Salon ● Jul. 31, 2024
Holmes had assigned me several days in a row to R-and-W gallery, dispelling any thought I had entertained that he was starting to like me.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
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.
