What does repelling mean?
Repelling is an adjective describing something that causes intense dislike, disgust, or physical aversion, as in “a repelling smell.” It can also function as the present participle of the verb repel, meaning to drive away or turn back something, as in “repelling insects.” The word is formal and carries a strongly negative emotional tone. It is often used for odors, sights, personalities, behaviors, and physical forces that people or devices find repellent. While “repelling” can simply mean unpleasant or difficult to approach, it frequently suggests a more forceful reaction, especially disgust or instinctive avoidance. Its Latin-derived history, shared with repel, repulsion, and repulsive, gives it a sense of driving something away or holding something at a distance.
Causing strong dislike, disgust, or physical aversion.
"The abandoned building had a cold, repelling atmosphere."
Formal and strongly negative; often more intense than simply “unpleasant.”
The present participle of repel, meaning to drive away or turn back something.
"The fortress was designed for repelling enemy ships."
Used as a present participle, often before an object or in a progressive construction.
Repelling comes from the same Latin root as “repel,” meaning to drive something back; its modern use can describe both physical resistance and powerful psychological aversion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repelling come from?
The word comes from the English verb “repel,” which in turn comes from Latin repellere, “to drive back,” formed from re- and pellere, “to drive.” The adjective and verb form “repelling” was developed by adding the present-participle ending -ing to “repel.” Related English words include “repellent,” “repulsion,” and “repulsive,” all sharing the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How repelling is actually used
The adjective is formal and often stronger than simply “unpleasant.” In its verbal use, “repelling” normally appears with an object, such as “repelling insects” or “repelling an attack.”
Easily confused with repelling
Repelling describes something that causes dislike or aversion, whereas repulsive usually conveys a stronger sense of disgust or physical repulsion.