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Rebuff vs Repel - What's the difference?

rebuff | repel |

As verbs the difference between rebuff and repel

is that rebuff is to refuse; to offer sudden or harsh resistance; to turn down or shut out while repel is to turn (someone) away from a privilege, right, job, etc.

As a noun rebuff

is a sudden resistance or refusal.

rebuff

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A sudden resistance or refusal.
  • He was surprised by her quick rebuff to his proposal.
  • Repercussion, or beating back.
  • * Milton
  • the strong rebuff of some tumultuous cloud

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To refuse; to offer sudden or harsh resistance; to turn down or shut out.
  • To buff again.
  • Anagrams

    *

    repel

    English

    Verb

    (repell)
  • * , II.3.7:
  • It is some satisfaction to him that is repelled , that dignities, honours, offices, are not alwayes given by desert or worth, but for love, affinitie, friendship, affection, great mens letters, or as commonly they are bought and sold.
  • To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.).
  • To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.).
  • To drive back (an assailant, advancing force etc.).
  • * 2011 , Ian Traynor, The Guardian , 19 May 2011:
  • In nearby Zintan, rebels repelled an advance by Gaddafi's forces, killing eight and taking one prisoner, a local activist said.
  • (physics) To force away by means of a repulsive force.
  • To cause repulsion, cause dislike.
  • * 2008 , The Guardian , 26 Jan 2008:
  • However, while the idea of a free holiday appeals enormously, I am frankly repelled by the idea of spending a couple of weeks in your company.
  • (sports) To save (a shot).
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=December 10, author=David Ornstein, work=BBC Sport
  • , title= Arsenal 1-0 Everton , passage=Arsenal pressed forward again after half-time but other than a venomous Walcott shot that Howard repelled with a fine one-handed save, the hosts offered little cutting edge.}}

    Synonyms

    *

    Antonyms

    * attract

    Anagrams

    *