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.

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Origin of dispel

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

OTHER WORDS FROM dispel

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

Words nearby dispel

dispatch box, dispatch case, dispatch rider, dispatcher, dispauper, dispel, dispend, dispensable, dispensary, dispensation, dispensationalism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to dispel

resolve, dismiss, dissipate, disperse, allay, eliminate, oust, disband, eject, expel, disintegrate, rout, distribute, scramble, repel, deploy, cancel, crumble, scatter, banish

Example sentences from the Web for dispel

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