repulse
9 synonyms for repulse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To drive back an attack or attacker.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To drive back an attack or attacker.
“The defenders repulsed three waves of assault before nightfall.”
How to use repulse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
repulse an attack
repulse the enemy
Etymology
From Latin repulsus, past participle of repellere, "to drive back" — from re- ("back") plus pellere ("to drive").
Full origin of repulse →Frequently asked questions
What does “repulse” mean?
The word “repulse” means to drive back an attack or attacker. In plain terms, to beat back an attack, or to disgust someone.
How do you pronounce “repulse”?
“Repulse” is pronounced rih-PUHLS (/ɹɪˈpʌls/ in IPA).
How do you use “repulse” in a sentence?
Here is “repulse” used in a sentence: “The defenders repulsed three waves of assault before nightfall.”
What part of speech is “repulse”?
Depending on how it is used, “repulse” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “repulse” come from?
The word “repulse” comes from Latin. From Latin repulsus, past participle of repellere, "to drive back" — from re- ("back") plus pellere ("to drive").
How many meanings does “repulse” have?
“Repulse” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to drive back an attack or attacker.
