repel

IPA/rɪˈpel/
KK[rɪpˈɛl]IPA/rɪˈpel/

repel — 動詞

  • 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,

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

擊退

用武力阻止敵人接近

to use physical force or military strength to stop an attacking person, animal, or army from coming closer.

例句

The soldiers used tear gas to repel the crowd outside the embassy.

士兵使用催淚瓦斯擊退大使館外的群眾。

repel + concrete object (crowd/attackers)

With just a wooden fence, the farmers could not repel the boars from their fields.

農民只有一道木籬笆，無法擊退田裡的野豬。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

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

❌The soldiers repelled at the attackers.
✅The soldiers repelled the attackers.
💡repel is transitive; do not add 'at' or 'against'.

2. (of a surface or treated material) to keep a liquid such as water, oil, or mud f

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

防水

材質不讓液體滲入

(of a surface or treated material) to keep a liquid such as water, oil, or mud from being absorbed or sticking to it.

例句

This jacket has a special coating that repels rain and snow.

這件外套有特殊塗層，可以防水防雪。

repel + weather-related liquid (rain/snow)

The tent fabric repels moisture, so everything inside stays dry.

帳篷布料能防潮，所以裡面保持乾爽。

同義詞
  • resist

    broader — can apply to chemicals, wear, or pressure

  • keep out

    more informal phrasal verb

反義詞
  • absorb

    soak up liquid rather than block it

  • soak up

    take in liquid, opposite of repelling

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

❌The jacket repels.
✅The jacket repels water.
💡specify what the material resists.

3. (of two magnets or electrically charged objects) to push each other away because

3.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

排斥

相同磁極或電荷互相推開

(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.

例句

The north pole of one magnet repels the north pole of another magnet.

一個磁鐵的北極會排斥另一個磁鐵的北極。

technical pattern: [pole] repels [same pole]

When two particles carry the same electric charge, they repel each other.

當兩個粒子帶有相同的電荷時，它們會互相排斥。

同義詞
  • push apart

    less formal, describes the effect without the physics register

  • drive apart

    similar to push apart, used in science writing

反義詞
  • 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

❌Opposite poles repel each other.
✅Like poles repel each other.
💡opposite poles attract, only same poles repel.

4. to make someone feel such strong dislike or sickness that they want to move away

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

使厭惡

引起強烈反感或排斥

to make someone feel such strong dislike or sickness that they want to move away from a person, thing, or situation.

例句

The sight of blood repels some people and makes them feel dizzy.

看到血會讓某些人感到厭惡，甚至頭暈。

repel + sensory trigger (sight/smell)

Tara was repelled by the arrogant way her boss spoke to the staff.

Tara 對老闆對員工說話的傲慢態度感到厭惡。

passive: be repelled by [behaviour/sight]

同義詞
  • disgust

    more direct and common than repel in this sense

  • revolt

    stronger, implies a feeling of being sickened

  • turn off

    informal phrasal verb, less intense

反義詞
  • attract

    draw someone in rather than push them away

  • appeal to

    be pleasing or interesting to someone

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

❌The bad smell repelled me away.
✅The bad smell repelled me.
💡repelled already contains the idea of pushing away; do not add 'away'.

5. to officially refuse to accept a suggestion, an offer, an accusation, or a way o

5.動詞及物C1
釋義

拒絕

正式回絕提議或指責

to officially refuse to accept a suggestion, an offer, an accusation, or a way of thinking, especially in a firm or blunt manner.

例句

The committee repelled the proposal to increase membership fees.

委員會拒絕了調漲會費的提案。

repel + formal proposal/offer

Anjali repelled every offer of help, insisting that she could manage alone.

Anjali 拒絕了所有幫助，堅持自己可以處理。

同義詞
  • reject

    less formal, broader; works in everyday situations

  • decline

    polite refusal, less forceful than repel

  • rebuff

    similar bluntness, often for personal offers

反義詞
  • accept

    agree to receive or take what is offered

  • welcome

    receive gladly, opposite of blunt refusal

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.

常見錯誤

❌She repelled his invitation to the party.
✅She declined his invitation to the party.
💡repel is too strong for everyday social invitations; use for official or serious matters.