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repulse Definition

re·pulse (ri puls′)

transitive verb -·pulsed′, -·puls′·ing

  1. to drive back; repel, as an attack
  2. to repel with discourtesy, coldness, indifference, etc.; refuse, reject, or rebuff
  3. to be repulsive, or disgusting, to

Etymology: < L repulsus, pp. of repellere, repel

noun

  1. a repelling or being repelled
  2. a refusal, rejection, or rebuff

Etymology: L repulsa < repulsus

repulse Synonyms

repulse

n.

rebuff, setback, snub; see defeat 2, refusal.

repulse Synonyms

repulse

v.

  1. To drive back

    repel, set back, overthrow, resist; see repel 1.

  2. To rebuff

    spurn, reject, snub; see rebuff 1, refuse.

  3. To disgust

    nauseate, offend, revolt; see disgust.

repulse Usage Examples

Object

  • attack: In command of the flotilla of boats at Boulogne, La Touche Treville twice repulsed the English attacks on it under Nelson.
  • enemy: The ladies of Gaunt House called Lady Bareacres in to their aid, in order to repulse the common enemy.
  • attempt: During the night they successfully repulsed all attempts to drive them out despite abnormal exposure to attack.
  • assault: Although wounded, he refused to leave his company and repulsed three enemy assaults next day.
  • invasion: Upon arrival the force discovered that the Turkish Army had repulsed the Russian invasion.
  • oppressor: In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair.

Subject

  • defender: Four separate assaults were repulsed by the brave defenders, two of which were made by the Naval Brigade under Commander Mayne.
  • force: The Bolsheviks immediately attempted to invade, but were repulsed by German forces.

Modifying Another Word

  • successfully: During the night they successfully repulsed all attempts to drive them out despite abnormal exposure to attack.
  • so: I'm so repulsed by violence I didn't think I could do it.
  • not: And the grounds of the commune, the soil and the lawns, had they not repulsed me each time I trod them?
  • also: The columns sent against the British front were also repulsed.
  • bloodily: The initial advance into the hinterland was bloodily repulsed by the Turkish 9 th Division, led by Colonel Mustafa Kemal.

Preposition: of

  • attack: He served with the force under Outram at the Alum Bagh, including the repulse of the numerous attacks.
  • sortie: After the repulse of any sortie the guard will return under cover as soon as possible and resume their position.

Preposition: with

  • loss: They were repulsed with a loss of 150 dead - against 14 for the Boers.
  • casualty: The Fusiliers attack had been repulsed with many casualties.

Preposition: by

  • defender: Four separate assaults were repulsed by the brave defenders, two of which were made by the Naval Brigade under Commander Mayne.
  • force: The Bolsheviks immediately attempted to invade, but were repulsed by German forces.