dispel

[ dih-spel ]

/ dɪˈspɛl /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR dispel ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), dis·pelled, dis·pel·ling.

to drive off in various directions; disperse; dissipate: to dispel the dense fog.

to cause to vanish; alleviate: to dispel her fears.

Words nearby dispel

dispatch box, dispatch case, dispatch rider, dispatcher, dispauper, dispel, dispend, dispensable, dispensary, dispensation, dispensationalism

Origin of dispel

1625–35; < Latin dispellere to drive asunder, equivalent to dis- dis-¹ + pellere to drive

SYNONYMS FOR dispel

1, 2 See scatter.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR dispel ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR dispel

1 gather.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR dispel ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM dispel

dis·pel·la·ble, adjectivedis·pel·ler, nounun·dis·pel·la·ble, adjectiveun·dis·pelled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for dispel

The police themselves do little to dispel or discourage this lionized portrayal.
Prosecutor Used Grand Jury to Let Darren Wilson Walk|Tom Nolan|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He does, however, attempt to dispel some of the myths that have emerged from hearsay and rumor over the last century.
How WWI Produced the Holocaust|J.P. O’Malley|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Swiss leaders also dispel the “slippery slope” idea by repeatedly rejecting substantial minimum wage increases.
To Make Their Victory Durable, the GOP Must Fix the Minimum Wage|Dmitri Mehlhorn|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But one look at the film is enough to dispel all notions of Svengali.
The Legend With The Look: Remembering Lauren Bacall|Teo Bugbee|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

There is no questioning their fellowship and effort to dispel misplaced preconceptions.
A Report From the Misunderstood Gathering of the Juggalos|Steve Miller|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was a horrible thought, which subsequent experience unhappily did not tend to dispel.
A Witch of the Hills, v. 1-2|Florence Warden
Since King David's time, we all know the power of music to dispel the spirits of darkness.
The Catholic World, Vol. X, October 1869|Various
Even Dave's mechanical expletives were insufficient to dispel the illusion.
Menotah|Ernest G. Henham
But the lapse of a few months will confirm or dispel their fears.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches|Various
On that former occasion the image of her old uncle had been strong in helping to dispel the fascination.
The Patriot|Antonio Fogazzaro

British Dictionary definitions for dispel

dispel

/ (dɪˈspɛl) /

verb -pels, -pelling or -pelled

(tr) to disperse or drive away

Derived forms of dispel

dispeller, noun

Word Origin for dispel

C17: from Latin dispellere, from dis- 1 + pellere to drive

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dispel

verb (used with object), dis·pelled, dis·pel·ling.

Words related to dispel

Words nearby dispel

Origin of dispel

SYNONYMS FOR dispel

ANTONYMS FOR dispel

OTHER WORDS FROM dispel

Examples from the Web for dispel

British Dictionary definitions for dispel

verb -pels, -pelling or -pelled

Derived forms of dispel

Word Origin for dispel