What does repulse mean?
Repulse means to drive away, reject, or inspire intense disgust. As a verb, it can describe an emotional response, as when a person is repelled by cruelty, or an act of rejection, as when a proposal is repulses? Correct: when a proposal is repulsed. In a physical sense, it can refer to forcing back an attack or object. As a noun, a repulse is an act of rejection or a feeling of disgust and aversion. The word is more formal and emotionally forceful than the closely related verb repel, and writers often choose it when they want to convey a strong reaction. Its vivid history helps explain its range: it comes from Latin repellere, literally “to drive back,” formed from re-, meaning back or again, and pellere, meaning to drive. The word therefore joins the ideas of physical resistance, refusal, and instinctive withdrawal.
To cause someone intense disgust or aversion; to reject or drive away a person, request, approach, or attack.
"She repulsed the offer without even pretending to consider it."
The emotional sense is especially common in formal writing and speech.
An act or instance of rejecting or driving something away, or a feeling of disgust and aversion.
"He regarded the entire enterprise with repulsion."
The noun is comparatively uncommon, particularly in its plural form.
The plural is grammatically standard but uncommon; plural usage usually appears in formal or literary writing.
"The diplomats endured a series of cold repulses."
Repulse grew from the Latin for “drive back,” a compact description of both physical rejection and the urge to turn away in disgust.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does repulse come from?
Repulse derives from the Latin verb repellere, meaning “to drive back,” formed from re-, meaning back, and pellere, meaning to drive. It entered English in the early 17th century in the sense of rejecting or driving away. Related English words include repel, repellent, repulsion, and repulsive, while Latin derivatives such as expel, propel, and compel share the root pellere.
Related word forms
How repulse is actually used
Repulse is more formal than repel and is especially common when describing an emotional reaction of disgust. It can sound forceful or emotionally intense, so it is often avoided in neutral or delicate contexts.
Easily confused with repulse
Repel is the standard transitive verb for driving something or someone away, while repulse is a more formal alternative that can also express intense disgust.