repel

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb cause to move back by force or influence
  2. verb be repellent to; cause aversion in
  3. verb force or drive back

Etymology

From Middle English repellen, a borrowing from Old French *repeller, from Latin repellere (“to drive back”), from re- (“back”) + pellere (“to drive”). Doublet of repeal.

In classic literature

Synonyms

drive, repulse, force back, push back, beat back

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