repel
repel — verb
- repelpresent simple I / you / we / they
- repelshe / she / it
- repelledpast simple
- repelling-ing form
1. to use physical force or military strength to stop an attacking person, animal,
to use physical force or military strength to stop an attacking person, animal, or army from coming closer.
The soldiers used tear gas to repel the crowd outside the embassy.
repel + concrete object (crowd/attackers)
With just a wooden fence, the farmers could not repel the boars from their fields.
The naval fleet was sent to repel the enemy ships approaching the coast.
Rachid carried pepper spray in his bag in case he needed to repel an attacker.
- repulse
stronger, often implies violent force; same formal register
- drive back
more literal and common in everyday speech
- fight off
less formal, used for both people and animals
- attract
draw toward instead of pushing away
- surrender to
give in rather than resist
文法句型
repel + noun phrase
用法筆記
Subject is typically a person, army, or defensive system; object is the advancing threat.
常見錯誤
2. (of a surface or treated material) to keep a liquid such as water, oil, or mud f
(of a surface or treated material) to keep a liquid such as water, oil, or mud from being absorbed or sticking to it.
This jacket has a special coating that repels rain and snow.
repel + weather-related liquid (rain/snow)
The tent fabric repels moisture, so everything inside stays dry.
Dewi applied a wax spray to her boots so they would repel mud and water.
A good raincoat repels water but still allows your skin to breathe.
文法句型
repel + liquid substance
用法筆記
Subject is almost always an inanimate object — fabric, coating, surface. The object is the substance that does not penetrate.
常見錯誤
3. (of two magnets or electrically charged objects) to push each other away because
(of two magnets or electrically charged objects) to push each other away because they have the same type of charge or the same magnetic pole.
The north pole of one magnet repels the north pole of another magnet.
technical pattern: [pole] repels [same pole]
When two particles carry the same electric charge, they repel each other.
A maglev train uses powerful magnets that repel to lift the carriage above the track.
Reuben set up a science experiment showing how protons repel one another in an atom.
- push apart
less formal, describes the effect without the physics register
- drive apart
similar to push apart, used in science writing
- attract
opposite magnetic poles or opposite charges pull together
文法句型
repel + noun
repel each other
two things repel
用法筆記
This sense is reciprocal — when A repels B, B repels A equally. Can be transitive (X repels Y) or intransitive (the two charges repel). Distinguish from sense 1: here no living creature is involved and no conscious intention.
常見錯誤
4. to make someone feel such strong dislike or sickness that they want to move away
to make someone feel such strong dislike or sickness that they want to move away from a person, thing, or situation.
The sight of blood repels some people and makes them feel dizzy.
repel + sensory trigger (sight/smell)
Tara was repelled by the arrogant way her boss spoke to the staff.
passive: be repelled by [behaviour/sight]
The smell of rotting fish repelled the guests before they reached the kitchen door.
Violent scenes in movies repel many viewers who prefer gentle stories.
文法句型
repel + noun (person)
用法筆記
Often uses the passive voice (be repelled by). The subject is typically a sensory experience (smell, sight, behaviour). Stronger than 'dislike' — implies physical or emotional revulsion.
常見錯誤
5. to officially refuse to accept a suggestion, an offer, an accusation, or a way o
to officially refuse to accept a suggestion, an offer, an accusation, or a way of thinking, especially in a firm or blunt manner.
The committee repelled the proposal to increase membership fees.
repel + formal proposal/offer
Anjali repelled every offer of help, insisting that she could manage alone.
The senator firmly repelled the accusation that she had broken the rules.
Yan repelled the suggestion that his team had failed on purpose.
文法句型
repel + proposal/offer/accusation
用法筆記
More forceful than simply 'refuse' — implies the rejection is blunt and leaves no room for negotiation. Common in political, legal, and business contexts.