repulse
repulse Lexical Profile
repulse Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To cause someone to feel intense disgust, revulsion, or aversion.
"The sheer dishonesty of the scheme repulsed everyone on the committee."
To drive back or ward off an attacking or advancing force.
"The garrison managed to repulse the siege after three days of defense."
To reject or refuse an offer, request, or friendly overture abruptly or coldly.
"She politely but firmly repulsed his attempts to reopen the negotiation."
• noun
The act of driving back an attacker or opposing force, or the state of being driven back.
"The defenders celebrated the successful repulse of the invading fleet."
A firm or discourteous rejection of an offer, request, or friendly advance.
"Undeterred by the initial repulse, the diplomat submitted a revised proposal."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'repel' and 'repulse' overlap in meaning both 'to drive back' and 'to cause disgust,' in modern usage 'repulse' more strongly emphasizes visceral revulsion or emotional disgust, whereas 'repel' is preferred for physical or chemical forces (such as magnets or insect spray).
• Rhymes for repulse
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Latin 'repulsus', the past participle of 'repellere' ('to drive back'), formed from 're-' ('back') and 'pellere' ('to drive').