First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1repulse
verb re·pulse \ri-ˈpəls\
: to force (someone) to stop attacking you
: to cause dislike or disgust in (someone)
: to reject (someone or something) in a rude or unfriendly way
re·pulsedre·puls·ing
Full Definition of REPULSE
transitive verb
1
: to drive or beat back : repel
2
: to repel by discourtesy, coldness, or denial
3
: to cause repulsion in
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Origin of REPULSE
Latin repulsus, past participle of repellere to repel
2repulse
noun
Definition of REPULSE
2
: the action of repelling an attacker : the fact of being repelled
First Known Use of REPULSE
1533
Related to REPULSE
- Synonyms
- brush-off, rebuff, cold shoulder, silent treatment, snub
- Antonyms
- open arms
REPULSE Defined for Kids
1repulse
verb re·pulse \ri-ˈpəls\
re·pulsedre·puls·ing
Definition of REPULSE for Kids
1
: to drive or beat back : repel <The army repulsed their enemy.>
2
: to reject in a rude or unfriendly way : snub <He repulsed attempts to help him.>
3
: to cause dislike or disgust in <The moldy bread repulsed me.>
2repulse
noun
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