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Added 9 October 2026

repel

/ɹɪˈpɛl/ verb

In Latin: repellō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about repel at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

To turn (someone) away from a privilege, right, job, etc. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.).
To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.).

Origin

From Middle English repellen, a borrowing from Old French *repeller, from Latin repellere (“to drive back”), from re- (“back”) + pellere (“to drive”). Doublet of repeal.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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