Repell vs. Repel — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 29, 2024
"Repell" is an incorrect spelling, while "Repel" is the correct form, meaning to drive or push something away.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Repell or Repel
How to spell Repel?
Repell
Incorrect Spelling
Repel
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Remember: One "l" to push away, two "ll"s pull towards - you want the former.
Use mnemonic: "To REPEL is to REject with one ELbow."
Recall that "bell" rings twice with "ll", but you only repel once with "l".
Think of "Repel" like "Rebel" – both have one "l".
Visualize a magnet: it can repel with just one side.
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How Do You Spell Repel Correctly?
Incorrect: The coat is designed to repell water and wind.
Correct: The coat is designed to repel water and wind.
Incorrect: Their harsh words did nothing to repell her determination.
Correct: Their harsh words did nothing to repel her determination.
Incorrect: He tried to repell the attackers with a makeshift weapon.
Correct: He tried to repel the attackers with a makeshift weapon.
Incorrect: The magnetic force was supposed to repell metal objects.
Correct: The magnetic force was supposed to repel metal objects.
Incorrect: She sprayed the product to repell mosquitoes during the hike.
Correct: She sprayed the product to repel mosquitoes during the hike.
Repel Definitions
To drive back or away, especially by force.
The soldiers repel the invaders at the border.
Force or drive back;
Repel the attacker
Fight off the onslaught
Rebuff the attack
To be resistant to; be incapable of absorbing or mixing with
Oil repels water.
To refuse to accept or be associated with.
She repelled the notion of working late hours.
To cause aversion or distaste.
His rude behavior repels many people.
To ward off or keep away; drive back
Repel insects.
In physics, to push away from a source of similar charge or magnetism.
Like poles of magnets repel each other.
To resist penetration or absorption.
This jacket is designed to repel water.
To offer resistance to; fight against
Repel an invasion.
To refuse to accept or submit to; reject
A company that was trying to repel a hostile takeover.
To refuse to accept (someone); spurn.
To cause aversion or distaste in
Your rudeness repels everyone. See Usage Note at repulse.
(Physics) To present an opposing force to; push back or away from by a force
Electric charges of the same sign repel one another.
To offer a resistant force to something.
To cause aversion or distaste
Behavior that repels.
To turn (someone) away from a privilege, right, job, etc.
(transitive) To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.).
(transitive) To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.).
(transitive) To drive back (an assailant, advancing force etc.).
To force away by means of a repulsive force.
(transitive) To cause repulsion or dislike in; to disgust.
To save (a shot).
To drive back; to force to return; to check the advance of; to repulse as, to repel an enemy or an assailant.
Hippomedon repelled the hostile tide.
They repelled each other strongly, and yet attracted each other strongly.
To resist or oppose effectually; as, to repel an assault, an encroachment, or an argument.
[He] gently repelled their entreaties.
To act with force in opposition to force impressed; to exercise repulsion.
Cause to move back by force or influence;
Repel the enemy
Push back the urge to smoke
Beat back the invaders
Be repellent to; cause aversion in
Reject outright and bluntly;
She snubbed his proposal
Fill with distaste;
This spoilt food disgusts me
Repel Meaning in a Sentence
Certain plants can repel insects and are useful in natural pest control.
The goalkeeper's skills repelled every attempt at scoring a goal.
Wearing light colors can help repel the sun's heat in summer.
The company's new policy did more to repel customers than attract them.
The city's defenses were strong enough to repel the invading army.
The fabric has been treated to repel stains, making it ideal for children's clothing.
The community banded together to repel the proposal for the new landfill.
Waterproof boots are essential to repel moisture during long hikes.
Scientists are studying how to repel sharks to prevent attacks.
To repel an attack, the soldiers fortified their position.
She managed to repel every argument with facts and logic.
The spray promises to repel fleas and ticks from pets for up to a month.
Privacy settings on social media can help repel unwanted attention.
The smell of vinegar can repel ants from entering your home.
The fortress was built to repel invaders from the north.
The paint is specially formulated to repel mold and mildew.
A good sense of humor can repel the stresses of daily life.
Magnetic fields repel or attract each other depending on their orientation.
Reflective surfaces on buildings can repel the heat of the sun.
A calm and collected demeanor can repel panic in tense situations.
Education can repel the darkness of ignorance and open minds.
Strategies to repel cyber attacks are crucial for internet safety.
His personality is so positive that it seems to repel negativity.
Their unity was strong enough to repel any attempts to divide them.
Citronella candles are popular to repel mosquitoes during outdoor events.
Common Curiosities
What is the pronunciation of Repel?
rɪˈpɛl.
What is the singular form of Repel?
The singular form is "repel."
What is the verb form of Repel?
The verb form is "repel."
What is the root word of Repel?
The root word is from the Latin "repellere."
Which vowel is used before Repel?
The vowel "e" is used before Repel.
Why is it called Repel?
The term "repel" is derived from Latin, meaning "to drive back."
Which preposition is used with Repel?
Common prepositions used with "repel" include "against" and "from."
Which conjunction is used with Repel?
Conjunction usage is not specific to the verb "repel"; any appropriate conjunction like "and" or "but" can be used based on sentence structure.
Is Repel a negative or positive word?
"Repel" is neutral but can have negative connotations based on context.
Is Repel a collective noun?
No, "repel" is not a collective noun.
Is the Repel term a metaphor?
No, but it can be used metaphorically in sentences.
Is the word Repel is imperative?
Yes, "repel" can be used in the imperative form, e.g., "Repel the invaders!"
Is the word Repel is Gerund?
The gerund form of "repel" is "repelling."
What is another term for Repel?
Another term for "repel" is "push away" or "ward off."
What is the plural form of Repel?
Verbs don't typically have plural forms, but the third person singular is "repels."
Is Repel an adverb?
No, "repel" is not an adverb.
Is Repel a vowel or consonant?
"Repel" is a word containing both vowels and consonants.
Is the word “Repel” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Repel" is a verb. It can take a direct object but is not an object itself.
What is a stressed syllable in Repel?
The second syllable, "pel," is stressed.
Is Repel a countable noun?
"Repel" is primarily a verb, not a countable noun.
What is the opposite of Repel?
The opposite of "repel" is "attract."
How is Repel used in a sentence?
"The coat is designed to repel water, keeping the wearer dry."
How many syllables are in Repel?
There are two syllables in "repel."
Which determiner is used with Repel?
Determiners like "the," "this," or "each" can precede nouns associated with "repel" based on context.
What is the first form of Repel?
The first form is "repel."
What is the third form of Repel?
The third form is "repelled."
Which article is used with Repel?
Depending on the context, both "a" and "the" can be used with nouns associated with "repel."
Is Repel a noun or adjective?
"Repel" is primarily a verb.
Is Repel an abstract noun?
No, "repel" is a verb, not an abstract noun.
How do we divide Repel into syllables?
Re-pel.
What part of speech is Repel?
"Repel" is a verb.
What is the second form of Repel?
The second form is "repelled."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.