repel
gb/ɹɪpˈɛl/ us/ɹɪpˈɛl/
B2
English
visszaver, taszít, visszataszít, távol tart, leperget
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
visszaver
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] repels [an attack/invaders] (from [place])
The army repelled the attack before it reached the city.
A hadsereg visszaverte a támadást, mielőtt az elérte volna a várost.
Security guards repelled the intruders at the main gate.
A biztonsági őrök a főkapunál visszaverték a betolakodókat.
Local forces repelled repeated raids along the border.
Learner examples
The soldiers repelled the attack.
A katonák visszaverték a támadást.
They repelled the invaders.
Visszaverték a támadókat.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with "expel" (force someone to leave a place) or "repulse" (a strong sense of disgust).
Meaning
drive back an attack
Collocations
repel an attack
|repel an invasion
|repel the enemy
|repel invaders
|repel forces
|repel a raid
|successfully repel
|repel an assault
|repel a challenge
|repel advances
Synonyms
fend off (More common in everyday English; emphasizes defense.)
|
drive back (Emphasizes pushing the attacker to retreat.)
|
beat back (Often used for attacks, flames, or crowds; slightly dramatic.)
Antonyms
succumb to (Fail to resist; be overcome by the attack.)
|
yield to (Give way rather than continue resisting.)
Themes
conflict
|military
|security
Definition
To stop an attack and make the attacker go back.
To force an attacker or enemy to move away and stop their advance.
VERB
B2
2
taszít
B2
visszataszít
C1
Usage pattern:
[something] repels [someone]
His rude comments repelled many people in the room.
A modortalan megjegyzései a teremben sokakat visszataszítottak.
The smell of rotten food repelled her immediately.
A romlott étel szaga azonnal visszataszította őt.
A hard sell can repel customers instead of persuading them.
Learner examples
The bad smell repelled me.
A rossz szag taszító volt számomra.
His behavior repels people.
A viselkedése taszítja az embereket.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "repel" when they mean "reject" (refuse) or "refuse" (say no).
Meaning
cause strong dislike or disgust
Collocations
repel people
|repel customers
|repel voters
|find something repelling
|a repelling smell
|repel rather than attract
|repel someone instantly
|repel someone completely
|repel potential buyers
|repel interest
Synonyms
repulse (Stronger and more literary; often implies disgust.)
|
disgust (Directly names the feeling caused.)
|
put off (More informal; often weaker than "repel".)
Antonyms
attract (Cause interest or liking; the opposite effect.)
|
appeal to (Create a positive response or interest.)
Themes
emotions
|social
Definition
To make someone feel disgusted or not interested.
To make someone feel strong dislike or disgust, so that they want to avoid you or something.
VERB
B2
3
távol tart
B1
leperget
B2
Usage pattern:
[material/product] repels [water/insects/dirt]
This spray repels mosquitoes for up to eight hours.
Ez a spray akár nyolc órán át távol tartja a szúnyogokat.
The jacket’s fabric repels water, so light rain beads on the surface.
A kabát anyaga lepergeti a vizet, ezért a gyenge eső csak gyöngyözik a felületén.
A good sealant can repel stains and make cleaning easier.
Learner examples
This lotion repels insects.
Ez a testápoló távol tartja a rovarokat.
The coat repels water.
A kabát lepergeti a vizet.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse "repel" instead of simpler verbs like "keep off" or "keep away" in casual speech.
Meaning
keep something away or off
Collocations
repel water
|water-repellent
|repel insects
|repel mosquitoes
|repel stains
|repel dirt
|repel moisture
|repel oil
|repel bugs
|repel pests
Synonyms
ward off (Often used for unwanted things like insects or illness; slightly more idiomatic.)
|
deter (Emphasizes discouraging something from coming near.)
|
resist (Common for materials (e.g., resist water/stains) and implies durability.)
Antonyms
absorb (Take in liquid rather than keeping it off.)
|
attract (Draw something toward itself rather than keeping it away.)
Themes
daily_life
|materials
|health
Definition
To stop something from coming near or sticking.
To keep something away or prevent it from sticking, entering, or having an effect, especially water, stains, insects, or dirt.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
4
taszít
B2
Usage pattern:
[two things] repel (each other)
Like electric charges repel each other.
Az azonos elektromos töltések taszítják egymást.
If you turn the magnets the same way, they repel and won’t stick together.
Ha a mágneseket ugyanabba az irányba fordítod, taszítják egymást, és nem tapadnak össze.
At short distances, the particles repel strongly.
Learner examples
The two magnets repel each other.
A két mágnes taszítja egymást.
Like charges repel.
Az azonos töltések taszítják egymást.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse "repel" and "attract" when describing magnets or charges; "repel" means push away.
Meaning
push apart by a force
Collocations
repel each other
|like charges repel
|repel strongly
|repel weakly
|electrically repel
|magnetically repel
|repel at close range
|repelling force
|repel a magnet
|repel a charged particle
Synonyms
push apart (Plain-language equivalent; less technical.)
|
drive apart (Suggests a stronger separating force.)
Antonyms
attract (Pull toward each other (opposite force effect).)
|
draw together (Move toward each other rather than separating.)
Themes
science
|physics
Definition
To move away from each other because of a force.
To push away from each other because of a physical force, especially between magnets or electric charges.
Grammar
Dictionary form
repel
IPA
GB/ɹɪpˈɛl/
US/ɹɪpˈɛl/
Syllables & stress
re - pel (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pel)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: repel
- 3rd Person Singular: repels
- Present Participle: repelling
- Past: repelled
Expressions
repel an attack
1/ɹɪpˈɛl ən ətˈæk/
fixed phrase
formal
stop an enemy attack
To stop an attack and make the attacker go back.
Examples
- The troops repelled an attack at dawn.
- The system is designed to repel an attack on the network.
- Police repelled an attack on the station.
Learner examples
- They repelled an attack.
- The army repelled an attack.
repel water
1/ɹɪpˈɛl wˈɔtɚ/
fixed phrase
stop water from soaking in
To keep water off something.
Examples
- The coating helps the fabric repel water.
- These hiking boots repel water but still let your feet breathe.
- A good wax will repel water and protect the paint.
Learner examples
- This jacket repels water.
- The spray repels water.