Word
repelling
Phoneticsre·pelling
US/ɹəˈpɛɫɪŋ/
UK/ɹɪpˈɛlɪŋ/
Definition
adj. describing something that pushes you away or makes you feel a strong dislike. It is often used for things that keep water or insects away, or for people who act in a very unpleasant way.
adj. causing a feeling of strong distaste or aversion; also describes a physical force that pushes something away. Often functions as a participial adjective derived from the verb 'repel'.
Examples
“The smell of the chemical was very repelling.”
“The fabric is treated with a water-repelling coating to ensure the wearer stays dry during heavy rain.”
“While the magnet's repelling force was scientifically fascinating, the candidate's repelling personality proved to be a significant liability during the televised debates.”
Examples
simple
“The smell of the chemical was very repelling.”
contextual
“The fabric is treated with a water-repelling coating to ensure the wearer stays dry during heavy rain.”
complex
“While the magnet's repelling force was scientifically fascinating, the candidate's repelling personality proved to be a significant liability during the televised debates.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “repelling” in context.
Verb
01. become repelling
“The once-popular trend has become repelling to younger consumers.”
verb + adj
02. find repelling
“Many people find his arrogant behavior quite repelling.”
verb + adj
03. repelling to
“The lotion is specifically designed to be repelling to mosquitoes.”
adj + prep
Adjective
04. highly repelling
“The smell of the chemical was highly repelling to most animals.”
adv + adj
05. visually repelling
“The bright, clashing colors were visually repelling to the viewers.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. repelling force
“The magnets created a strong repelling force when pushed together.”
adj + noun
07. repelling quality
“The fabric has a natural water repelling quality that keeps you dry.”
adj + noun
08. act in a repelling way
“He began to act in a repelling way after he lost the competition.”
09. find someone's personality repelling
“I found his aggressive personality quite repelling during the meeting.”
Usage
Often used as a participial adjective; can be used literally in physics or figuratively to describe social behavior.
Real-World Examples
“Taiwan's military on Thursday simulated repelling a Chinese assault from the sea, integrating shore-launched missiles and drones with fast patrol boats to stop an attempted invasion.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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