repel, repulse — Because each of these words can mean to drive back, they are often misused in situations where their meanings should be distinct. One can repel or repulse someone who attempts to mug him, but only repel conveys the idea of disgust, aversion, and… … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
repel, repulse — Not to be confused. Repulse means to drive back: The army repulsed the enemy s attack. It should not be confused with repulsive, meaning to cause repugnance. Repel is the word for causing squeamishness or distaste: The idea of eating squid… … Dictionary of troublesome word
repulse — See repel. See repel, repulse … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
repel — See repel, repulse … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
Repulse — Re*pulse (r? p?ls ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Repulsed} ( p?lst ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Repulsing}.] [L. repulsus, p. p. of repellere. See {Repel}.] 1. To repel; to beat or drive back; as, to repulse an assault; to repulse the enemy. [1913 Webster]… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Repel — Re**pel (r? p?l ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Repelled} ( p?ld ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Repelling}.] [L. repellere, repulsum; pref. re re + pellere to drive. See {Pulse} a beating, and cf. {Repulse}, {Repeal}.] 1. To drive back; to force to return; to check … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
repulse — [n] snub; rejection brush off*, check, cold shoulder*, defeat, disappointment, failure, nix*, nothing doing*, rebuff, refusal, reverse, slap in the face*, spurning, thumbs down*, turndown; concepts 388,674 Ant. attraction, enchantment repulse… … New thesaurus
repel — I (disgust) verb alienate, appall, be unpalatable, cause aversion, cause dislike, displease, excite dislike, fill with loathing, frighten, give offense, grate, horrify, incense, irritate, make one shudder, make one sick, make unwelcome, nauseate … Law dictionary
repulse — I verb beat back, beat off, chase, check, counteract, countervail, defeat, dispel, drive away, drive back, eschew, fend off, frustrate, gainsay, grapple with, hinder, impede, keep at bay, make a stand, obstruct, oppose, oppugn, overthrow,… … Law dictionary
repel — [v1] push away; repulse beat back, beat off, brush off, buck, cast aside, chase away, check, confront, cool*, cut, decline, dismiss, disown, dispute, drive away, drive back, drive off, duel, fend off, fight, force back, force off, give cold… … New thesaurus
