repulse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'repulse' is a valid word in written English and can be used in various contexts.
It can be used as a verb, meaning to drive back or reject forcefully, or as a noun, referring to a feeling of disgust or aversion. Here are some examples of how 'repulse' can be used in a sentence: - The sight of the mutilated bodies repulsed the rescue workers. - His crude behavior repulsed her and she immediately walked away. - The politician's unpopular views repulsed the majority of the audience. - The army was able to repulse the enemy's attack and hold their position. - The stench from the garbage dump was so repulsive that it made me nauseous. - He tried to repulse the advances of his colleague, who had a reputation for being persistent. - The idea of eating snails repulsed her at first, but she ended up enjoying the dish.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Opponents of the Affordable Care Act from Florida to Tennessee deploy regulatory roadblocks, such as refusing healthcare "navigators" access to county health departments, inspired by the "massive resistance" southern governors and legislatures used to repulse desegregation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Packages would be a putrid green, with the company's name written in uniform text beneath a grisly image one warning shows an eye prised open by wires.Compared with all this, America has been a laggard in the race to repulse.

The Economist

He failed to plan for new sorts of war of the high-tech or guerrilla varieties and instead ran impressive exercises designed to repulse massive invasions from east and west.It was during just such an exercise last month, in Russia's remote Far East, that a band of rebels sneaked past the heavy troop presence in Chechnya to attack several targets in neighbouring Ingushetia.

The Economist

Mr Romney, in particular, will have to offer a substantive critique of Mr Huckabee's economic populism and lack of foreign-policy expertise if he is to repulse the Huckabee wave.

The Economist

During the Iran-Iraq war, when the Saudis backed Saddam Hussein, they scrambled jet fighters to repulse Iranian aerial feints over their oilfields, while police in Mecca have often grappled with Iranian "pilgrims" using the haj as a chance for political agitation.

The Economist

"Business is in the closet on Europe," a senior banker says.Yet the beginnings of a repulse are discernible.

The Economist

In the first eight weeks after Pearl Harbor, however, the major achievement of the Chinese was the definitive repulse, on January 15 , 1942 of a long-sustained Japanese drive against Ch'ang-sha, on the Canton–Han-k'ou railway.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By the 14th century the Ottoman Turks had established themselves in the Balkans and would penetrate deeper into Europe despite repeated efforts to repulse them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is easy to understand the nature of the forces in Figures 7 and 8 with the rule that two north poles repulse each other and two south poles repulse each other, while unlike poles attract.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some prosecutions were politically unpopular, particularly that of Samuel Hinga Norman, whom many Sierra Leoneans regarded as a hero for having rallied Sierra Leone's traditional hunting societies to repulse the rebels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On only two other occasions were Ming military forces active outside China's borders: in 1445 46, when Chinese troops pursued a rebellious border chief into Myanmar despite resistance there, and in 1592 98, when the Ming court undertook to help the Chosŏn (Yi) dynasty in Korea repulse Japanese invaders, a long and costly effort.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "repulse", consider whether you want to emphasize the act of driving something back physically or the feeling of disgust. Choose synonyms like "fend off" or "reject" if a more precise meaning is needed.

Common error

Be mindful that "repulse" can carry a strong emotional charge, implying disgust or aversion. Use it judiciously, especially in formal writing, to avoid unintended offense or overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "repulse" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action directed towards an object. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it describes the act of driving something back or causing aversion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "repulse" functions primarily as a verb, signifying the act of driving back or causing strong aversion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. Its presence is notable across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral register. When writing with "repulse", be mindful of its connotations and consider alternative phrases like "fend off" or "reject" for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fend off

Emphasizes preventing an attack or unwanted advance, implying a defensive action.

ward off

Suggests averting or deflecting something harmful or unwanted, often with a magical or preventative connotation.

beat back

Highlights the act of driving an opponent or force away, often in a physical or combative context.

drive away

Focuses on causing something to leave or go away, emphasizing the action of forcing something out.

rebuff

Implies a curt or abrupt rejection, often in a social or professional setting.

reject

Indicates a refusal to accept or agree with something, emphasizing a decision against something.

resist

Stresses the act of opposing or withstanding something, highlighting a force against another.

fight off

Suggests physical resistance to an attack or intrusion, emphasizing the struggle to defend oneself.

push back

Highlights the act of resisting or opposing a proposal or initiative, often in a political or business context.

turn away

Focuses on refusing entry or acceptance, implying a denial of access.

FAQs

How to use "repulse" in a sentence?

"Repulse" can be used to describe physically driving back an attack, or to describe causing feelings of disgust. For example: "The army managed to repulse the enemy" or "The sight of the rotting food repulsed me."

What can I say instead of "repulse"?

You can use alternatives like "fend off", "reject", or "drive away" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "repulse" to describe a feeling of strong dislike?

Yes, "repulse" can describe a strong feeling of dislike or disgust. For example, "His behavior repulsed me."

What is the difference between "repulse" and "reject"?

"Repulse" often implies a stronger, more visceral reaction than "reject". "Reject" suggests a conscious decision to refuse something, while "repulse" suggests a feeling of strong aversion. Depending on the context you might consider using "turn away" as well.