What does repel mean?
Repel means to drive something away, reject it firmly, or cause it to move back. The word has a strong physical sense: a surface may repel water, an object may repel a magnet, or a person may repel an attack. It also has established figurative uses. A cold personality may repel people, an argument may repel interest, and a policy may repel potential supporters. In these contexts, the verb suggests resistance or active rejection rather than simple indifference. Repel can describe the act of driving something away or the quality of doing so: a product advertised as insect-repellent is intended to keep insects away. Its tone can range from neutral and technical to strongly negative, especially when it describes an unpleasant sensation or an unwelcome person.
verbTo drive or force something away, especially by exerting force against it. It can also mean to resist or reject an approach, idea, or person.
- To drive or force something away, especially through physical resistance.
- To resist or reject an approach, request, idea, or person.
- To cause a substance or quality to be driven away from a surface or person.
- To be opposed to or inspire dislike in someone.
- To push or cause something to move back.
"The thick hedge repelled the onlookers, keeping them safely out of the garden."
"The new paint repels water, making the garden furniture easier to maintain."
"Her direct manner repelled some visitors but won the respect of the rest of the team."
Repel literally means to push back, a meaning that still shapes its use in physics, biology, and everyday speech.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repel come from?
Repel comes from Latin repellere, formed from re- and pellere, meaning to drive back or push away. The English verb developed in the 16th century, with related forms such as repulsion, repulsive, and repellent appearing over time. Its relatives preserve the shared idea of driving something back or causing avoidance.
How repel is actually used
In formal and figurative contexts, repel often describes a forceful rejection or an unpleasant quality. In scientific contexts, it can describe a force or surface that prevents contact or discourages a substance.
Easily confused with repel
Refuse means to decline an offer or request, whereas repel means to drive something away or reject it more forcefully.
Repelent can be a noun or adjective describing something that drives away a substance or person, while repel is the verb describing the action.