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Resist vs Repel - What's the difference?

resist | repel |

As verbs the difference between resist and repel

is that resist is to attempt to counter the actions or effects of while repel is to turn (someone) away from a privilege, right, job, etc.

As a noun resist

is a protective coating or covering.

resist

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To attempt to counter the actions or effects of.
  • *{{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-28, author=(Joris Luyendijk)
  • , volume=189, issue=3, page=21, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Our banks are out of control , passage=Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic who still resists the idea that something drastic needs to happen for him to turn his life around.}}
  • To withstand the actions of.
  • * '>citation
  • *, chapter=16
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=The preposterous altruism too!
  • To oppose.
  • (obsolete) To be distasteful to.
  • * 1608 , , II. iii. 29:
  • These cates resist me,

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing) . See

    Derived terms

    * resistance

    Synonyms

    * (l) * (l) * (l)

    Antonyms

    * obey * submit

    Derived terms

    * irresistible * irresistibly * resistance * resistant * resistantly * resistible * resistibly * resistive * resistively * resistless * resistlessly * resistor

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A protective coating or covering. Oxford English Dictionary , 2nd ed., 1989.
  • Anagrams

    *

    References

    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

    *