repulse

American  

[ri-puhls] / rɪˈpʌls /

verb (used with object)

repulsed, repulsing

1. to drive back; repel.

   to repulse an assailant.

2. to repel with denial, discourtesy, or the like; refuse or reject.

   Synonyms:

   snub, shun, spurn, rebuff

3. to cause feelings of repulsion in.

   The scenes of violence in the film may repulse some viewers.

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noun

1. the act of repelling.

2. the fact of being repelled, as in hostile encounter.

3. a refusal or rejection.

repulse British  

/ rɪˈpʌls /

verb

1. to drive back or ward off (an attacking force); repel; rebuff

2. to reject with coldness or discourtesy

   she repulsed his advances

3. to produce a feeling of aversion or distaste

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noun

1. the act or an instance of driving back or warding off; rebuff

2. a cold discourteous rejection or refusal

Usage

Some people think that the use of repulse in sentences such as he was repulsed by what he saw is incorrect and that the correct word is repel

Other Word Forms

• repulser noun
• unrepulsed adjective
• unrepulsing adjective

Etymology

Origin of repulse

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin repulsus, past participle of repellere to repel

Example Sentences

But he’s more fascinated than repulsed by the city.

From Los Angeles Times

Elizabeth is also the conscience of the piece, befriending the Creature and being alternately attracted to Victor and repulsed by what she sees as his moral degeneracy—never mind his abdication of parental responsibility.

From The Wall Street Journal

Initially repulsed by her new housemate, a closer relationship gradually develops between the two women.

From BBC

Now he dresses as if he looks in his closet, asks what would most repulse women, and throws that on to speak in public.

From Salon

The resulting documentary has already been released on Hulu in the US - with critics as fascinated by the story as they are repulsed by Nasubi's ordeal.

From BBC

Related Words

• fend off
• overthrow
• put down
• rebuff
• repel
• resist