hard to repel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to repel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to resist or fend off, often in the context of an argument, temptation, or physical force. Example: "The charm of the city was hard to repel, drawing tourists from all over the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But American and Panamanian officials were still trying to understand why the ship's crew had fought so hard to repel a boarding party as the ship tried to traverse the Panama Canal.

The New York Times

Even if it were possible to sleep out in the Kruger or one of the other mega-reserves, the chances are you probably would not want to, mosquitoes being hard to repel and malaria being rampant.

The Guardian - Travel

Throughout the previous two days the battalion worked hard to repel repeated attempts by elements of the German 2nd Infantry Regiment to infiltrate their lines, before finally they received the order to fall back.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The committee said the problem of Chinese dumping needed to be resolved for the UK's steel industry to be viable and that the government did not push the European Union hard enough to repel dumping by China.

The Guardian - Business

But some think it would be wise to try harder not to repel single women.

The Economist

Once again, Mr Horowitz finds himself in "wartime" mode and drives his team harder than ever to repel BladeLogic's challenge.

The Economist

An Algerian official, who requested anonymity because of the delicacy of the matter, said the attack was conducted in the dark by a heavily armed force that moved quickly over the border from Libya, making it hard for security forces to repel.

The New York Times

Yesterday's Listed contest was his first attempt at a mile and three-quarters and, having travelled smoothly into contention at the turn into the straight, he had to work hard through the final furlong to repel the unconsidered Vivacious Vivienne by half a length and justify his 30-100 starting price.

Independent

Install an ultrasonic pet repellent designed to repel cats.

WikiHow

Although hard-pressed, Junayd and his escort were able to repel the attack and link up with al-Sulami's forces.

Wikipedia

But Iraq might have been better able to repel Al Qaeda if Mr. Maliki and the Americans had worked harder on a deal to keep a token number of troops in the country to continue helping with training and intelligence-gathering.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to repel", ensure the subject attempting to repel something possesses the necessary resources or capabilities. For example, 'The old walls were hard to repel invaders without reinforcements'.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to repel" when the subject lacks the ability to actively resist. It's more fitting for situations involving defense or opposition, not passive reception.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to repel" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that is difficult to resist or fend off. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to repel" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something difficult to resist or defend against. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness. While relatively rare, its primary contexts are News & Media and Wiki. When using this phrase, consider the agent's capabilities and ensure the context involves active resistance. Alternatives include "difficult to resist" and "tough to fend off", but remember to use the alternative that best fits the context of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to resist

Focuses on the challenge of opposing or fighting against something.

tough to fend off

Emphasizes the strength required to ward off or defend against something.

hard to ward off

Focuses on the difficulty to prevent the presence or effects of something.

challenging to ward off

Highlights the complexity and effort involved in preventing something from approaching or affecting you.

not easily deterred

Implies a strong persistence or determination that makes something difficult to discourage.

unlikely to be deflected

Suggests a strong trajectory or force that makes something hard to deviate from its path.

resistant to counter

Highlights the ability of something to withstand opposing actions or forces.

impenetrable defense

Conveys a sense of invincibility and inability to breach or overcome.

firmly defended

Emphasizes the strong and resolute protection of something.

impregnable barrier

Suggests a robust and secure obstacle that is difficult to break through.

FAQs

How can I use "hard to repel" in a sentence?

Use "hard to repel" to describe something that is difficult to resist or defend against. For example, 'The enemy's attack was "difficult to resist" because of their superior numbers'.

What are some alternatives to "hard to repel"?

Alternatives include "difficult to resist", "tough to fend off", or "challenging to ward off", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hard to repelled"?

No, "hard to repelled" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "hard to repel", using the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "hard to repel" and "difficult to deter"?

"Hard to repel" focuses on resisting an active force or attack, while "difficult to deter" emphasizes preventing someone from taking action in the first place. For instance, 'The invasion was "hard to repel"' versus 'His ambition was "difficult to deter"'.