• IPA: /ɹɪˈpɛl/

repel (repels, present participle repelling; past and past participle repelled)

1. (transitive, now rare) To turn (someone) away from a privilege, right, job, etc. [from 15th c.]
   • 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 54573970 ↗, partition II, section 3, member 7:

     It is some satisfaction to him that is repelled, that dignities, honours, offices, are not alwayes given by desert or worth, but for love, affinitie, friendship, affection, great mens letters, or as commonly they are bought and sold.

2. (transitive) To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.). [from 15th c.]
3. (transitive) To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.). [from 15th c.]
4. (transitive) To drive back (an assailant, advancing force etc.). [from 15th c.]
   • 2011, Ian Traynor, The Guardian, 19 May 2011:

     In nearby Zintan, rebels repelled an advance by Gaddafi's forces, killing eight and taking one prisoner, a local activist said.

5. (transitive, physics) To force away by means of a repulsive force. [from 17th c.]
6. (transitive) To cause repulsion or dislike in; to disgust. [from 18th c.]
   • 2008, The Guardian, 26 Jan 2008:

     However, while the idea of a free holiday appeals enormously, I am frankly repelled by the idea of spending a couple of weeks in your company.

7. (transitive, sports) To save (a shot).

• (nonstandard, rare) withdrive

• attract

• repulse
• repulsion
• repulsive
• repellent

• French: rebuter, repousser
• Russian: отка́зываться приня́ть

• Russian: ока́зывать сопротивле́ние

• Russian: отбрасывать

• French: repousser
• German: abstoßen
• Portuguese: repelir
• Russian: отталкивать
• Spanish: repeler

• Russian: претить