They failed to repulse our attack.
Source: tatoeba (6106347)
Repulse
/ɹɪˈpʌls/
Synonyms for "repulse" (254 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (51)
abjurationabjureabjurementbackfirebacklashbacklashingbafflementbalkbe proof againstbear upbear up againstbeat backbeat offblockboomerangbounceboundbrush asidebrush offbrush-off
Show 26 more words
caromchallengechasechase awaychase offcheckcheckmatechuckchuck outchuckingchucking outcold shouldercold-shouldercombative reactioncomplaintconfusioncontemncontemptcontradictcontradictioncontrecoupcountercounteractioncutcut directdeclination
Strong matches (76)
declinedecliningdefeatdefiancedefydemurdenialdenydespisaldespisedespisingdisapprovaldisapprovediscarddisclaimdisclamationdiscomfiturediscountdiscountingdisdain
Show 41 more words
dismissdismissaldisowndisownmentdisputedisregarddissentdissentiencedrive awaydrive backendureexceptexceptionexcludeexclusionfendfend offfightflat refusalfoilforswearfractiousnessfrustratefrustrationhigh-hathinderholdhold at bayhold offhold outhold uphumiliationignoreignoringkeep at baykeep offkickkickbacknauseatenegativismnonacceptance
Adjective(1 words)
gross details
Related words (127)
nonapprovalnonconsiderationnoncooperationnot receiveobjectionobstinacyobstructoffendoppositionpack offparrypass bypass uppassing bypassive resistancepoint-blank refusalprotestpush asidepush backput back
Show 85 more words
putting awayputting outreactionreboundrebuffrebutrecalcitrancerecalcitrancyrecalcitrationrecantrecantationrecoilrefractorinessrefusalrefuserefuse to considerrefuse to receiverejectrejectionreluctreluctanceremonstrancerenitencerenitencyrenouncerenouncementrepelrepellencerepellencyrepercussionrepudiaterepudiationrepulsionresilienceresistresistancereversalreverserevoltricochetroutscoutscoutingsend awaysend offsend packingsetbackshort shriftshove awaysickenslap in the faceslightsmearsneersniffsnortsnubspringspurnspurningstandstand upstave offstopsummary negativethe cold shoulderthe go-bythrow awaythrow outthrowing outthrust backturnturn asideturn awayturn away fromturn backturn downturn outturning outuncooperativenessupstagewaiveward offwithstandwithstanding
Noun(13 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: rebuff, abjuration, abjure, abjurement, appal.
- Sentence evidence is available for repulse, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "repulse".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "repulse"
Keep "repulse" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "repulse" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "repulse", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "repulse" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
16 entriesMore specific
12 entriesCollocations
10 entriesclinical repulsionfelt repulseintense repulseintense repulsionmoral repulsemoral repulsionnatural repulsionpublic repulsestrong repulsestrong repulsion
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriessimilar
1 entriesSample sentences
8 total sentences available.
His work adds long descriptions of rotting corpses to nauseate and repulse.
Source: tatoeba (13361025)
to repulse an assault; to repulse the enemy
Source: wiktionary
If we fail to repulse the enemy within the gates--unemployment, poverty, disorganized agriculture and the like--from whence may we expect the united strength and clear purpose to repulse any outside force?
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 8 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "repulse"?
Closest matches include rebuff, abjuration, abjure, abjurement, appal.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "repulse"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.