<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li>to drive or force back (an assailant, invader, etc.)</li><li>to thrust back or away</li><li>to resist effectively (an attack, onslaught, etc.)</li><li>to keep off or out; fail to mix with: Water and oil repel each other</li><li>to resist the absorption or passage of (water or other liquid): This coat repels rain</li><li>to refuse to have to do with; resist involvement in: to repel temptation</li><li>to refuse to accept or admit; reject: to repel a suggestion</li><li>to discourage the advances of (a person): He repelled me with his harshness</li><li>to cause distaste or aversion in: Their untidy appearance repelled us</li><li>to push back or away by a force, as one body acting upon another (attract): The north pole of one magnet will repel the north pole of another</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>to act with a force that drives or keeps away something</li><li>to cause distaste or aversion</li></ul>