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Repelling: meaning, definitions and examples

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repelling

 

[ rɪˈpɛlɪŋ ]

Verb / Adjective
Context #1 | Verb

physical force

Repelling means to drive away or force back an object or an individual. It can refer to the action of pushing something away with a physical force or to causing feelings of aversion.

Synonyms

driving away, pushing back, rejecting

Examples of usage

  • The magnets are repelling each other.
  • His rude behavior was repelling her.
  • The spray is capable of repelling insects.
  • Her negative attitude repelled many of her friends.
Context #2 | Adjective

undesirable quality

As an adjective, repelling describes something that is unpleasant or offensive, causing others to withdraw or feel an aversion.

Synonyms

disgusting, offensive, unpleasant

Examples of usage

  • The repelling smell of garbage filled the air.
  • His repelling comments led to an awkward silence.
  • The repelling behavior of the character made the audience dislike him.

Word origin

The term 'repelling' is derived from the Latin word 'repellere', which means 'to drive back or push away'. This Latin term is a combination of 're-', meaning 'back', and 'pellere', meaning 'to drive or push'. Its usage can be traced back to the early 15th century in the English language, originating from the Old French word 'repeler'. As the word evolved, it began to encompass not only the physical act of pushing away but also the emotional or psychological aspect of causing aversion or distaste. Over time, 'repelling' has become associated with various contexts, including science (such as magnetism) and social interactions, indicating something that provokes a strong dislike or rejection.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,050, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.