transitive verb repelled -·pelled′, repelling -·pel′·ling

1. to drive or force back; hold or ward off to repel an attack
2. to refuse to accept, agree to, or submit to; reject to repel advances
3. to refuse to accept (a person); spurn to repel a suitor
4. 1. to cause distaste or dislike in; disgust the odor repelled him
   2. to cause (insects, etc.) to react by staying away
5. 1. to be resistant to, or present an opposing force to a coating that repels moisture
   2. to fail to mix with or adhere to water repels oil

Etymology: ME repellen < L repellere, to drive back < re-, back + pellere, to drive: see pulse

intransitive verb

1. to drive off, or offer an opposing force to, something
2. to cause distaste, dislike, or aversion