dispel with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dispel with" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is typically "dispel" used without "with," as it means to drive away or eliminate something, such as a belief or fear. Example: "The scientist aimed to dispel the myths surrounding climate change with her research."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"Let's dispel with this fiction that Barack Obama doesn't know what he's doing.

Independent

She explains that, for a joke to work, the comic needs to artificially create tension that she can then dispel with a punch line.

The New Yorker

Military officials said he told his captors that he had been told the American troops were 100 miles away -- the very official Iraqi perception the Americans hoped to dispel with their raid.

The New York Times

With the potential for the former archrivals on Haitian soil and the country already reeling from a political crisis it hoped to dispel with a peaceful election, Mr. Aristide's return generated furious diplomatic negotiation, with the United States pressing for a delay in his arrival until after the election.

The New York Times

The other motif is that as a black woman seeking a position of power I must first dispel with (or at least reckon with) the assumption (not my own, but given to me like an inheritance) that I am amoral, beastly, wild.

The New Yorker

After mentioning that New Jersey, under Christie, has seen its debt downgraded nine times, he again went off on a tangent and recited his line of attack on the President: "Let's dispel with this fiction that Barack Obama doesn't know what he's doing," Rubio said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The mystery began to be dispelled with the flight of the Soviet space probe Luna 3 in 1959, which returned the first photographs of the far side.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now the stress grips him far less often and is readily dispelled with a phone call to a coach at Specialisterne.

The New York Times - Magazine

His chin whiskers flow thick and taper to a point, giving him a slightly sinister look, which he dispels with frequent smiles that seem naturally modest.

The New York Times - Sports

The ball rises, her eyes flash upward, the point begins, and the illusion of fear is immediately dispelled with a ground stroke that lifts Henin into the air.

The New York Times

But any suggestions that Rangers supporters may empathize with Whyte were soon dispelled, with the Scottish businessman loudly heckled as he read a statement to the crowd of angry fans.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to express the idea of removing a doubt, fear, or misconception, use the verb "dispel" directly, without the preposition "with". For example, "Dispel the myth" is grammatically sound.

Common error

The phrase "dispel with" is often redundant. Using just "dispel" achieves the same meaning more concisely and correctly. Don't add "with" after "dispel".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "dispel with" is incorrect, as "dispel" does not typically take the preposition "with". As Ludwig AI points out, standard usage dictates using "dispel" alone to convey the act of driving away or eliminating something. Despite examples in Ludwig, its use remains grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "dispel with" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and more concise form is simply "dispel", which means to drive away or eliminate something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this, recommending the omission of "with". Although examples exist, particularly in News & Media contexts, adhering to standard grammatical conventions is advisable. Alternative phrasings like "eliminate" or "dismiss" can also be employed depending on the intended nuance. Therefore, while "dispel with" might be encountered, it's best to avoid it in favor of the grammatically sound "dispel".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dispel

Omits the preposition "with", aligning with standard English grammar for the verb "dispel".

Eliminate

Replaces "dispel" with a synonym that conveys the removal of something, focusing on complete eradication.

Dismiss

Shifts the focus to rejecting or disregarding something, rather than directly removing it.

Eradicate

Emphasizes the thorough and complete removal of something, often something negative.

Clear up

Focuses on resolving confusion or misunderstanding, a specific type of dispelling.

Debunk

Specifically targets the act of proving something false or untrue, particularly myths or misconceptions.

Refute

Focuses on proving something wrong through argument or evidence.

Disprove

Similar to "refute", but often implies a more definitive demonstration of falsehood.

Alleviate

Implies reducing the intensity of something negative, rather than completely removing it.

Disperse

Suggests scattering or spreading something out, often used for doubts or fears.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "dispel with"?

No, the correct usage is "dispel" without the preposition "with". "Dispel" already implies the act of removing or driving away something.

What does "dispel" mean?

"Dispel" means to drive away, scatter, or eliminate. It's often used in the context of removing doubts, fears, or misconceptions.

What can I say instead of "dispel with"?

Use the word "dispel" alone. You can also use synonyms like "eliminate", "dismiss", or "refute" depending on the context.

How can I use "dispel" in a sentence?

You can use "dispel" in a sentence like this: "The evidence helped to dispel any doubts about his innocence."