Repell or Repel: Which is Correct?

"Repell" is the incorrect spelling of "repel."
To "repel" is to forcefully push away or resist the influence, presence, or advance of something or someone.

For example...

❌ The strong odor of the repellent spray was effective in helping to repell mosquitoes during the camping trip.

✅ The strong odor of the repellent spray was effective in helping to repell mosquitoes during the camping trip.

In the sentence "The strong odor of the repellent spray was effective in helping to repel mosquitoes during the camping trip," the word "repel" means to drive away or keep mosquitoes at a distance due to the deterrent effect of the spray's strong smell.

Repel (verb)

1. To drive back or away with force:

Force: To resist and push something back, often against its own momentum or pressure.
Physical context: Examples include magnets repelling each other, antibodies repelling a virus, or a knight using a shield to repel an attack.
Non-physical context: Examples include rejecting an offer, resisting influence, or dismissing an unwanted idea.

2. To refuse to accept or submit to:

Resistance: To actively oppose or fight back against something unpleasant, disagreeable, or harmful.
- Examples: A body repelling an illness, a community repelling an abusive leader, or a mind repelling temptation.

3. To cause disgust or aversion:

Repugnance: To inspire strong negative feelings, such as hatred, loathing, or revulsion.
Sensory or emotional impact: Examples include a foul smell repelling someone, a horrifying sight repelling a viewer, or a cruel act repelling a person's moral compass.

Note:
"Repel" can also be used as a noun ("the repel of water by oil") or an adjective ("a repellent odor").

Origins

From Latin "reppellere," meaning "to drive back."

Analyzing the graph provided, it's evident that the term "repel" has been utilized with greater frequency compared to "repell." The word "repel" has had a downward streak since the 1800s.

How do we pronounce repel?

In American English, "repel" is pronounced as ruh·pel.

In British English, "repel" is pronounced as ruh·pel.

Additional notes:
These are just the standard pronunciations, and there may be slight variations depending on regional accents and individual speech patterns.

Check out our other related blogposts:

🖊️ Adverse vs. Averse
🖊️ Aversione or Aversion: Which Is Correct?

Why does the misspelling of repel as repell occur?

The misspelling of "repel" as "repell" can happen for several reasons, some more likely than others.

1. Phonetic Confusion:

The "el" sound in "repel" can be tricky to represent consistently in spelling, especially for young learners or people unfamiliar with English conventions.
"Repell" might seem like a more intuitive way to capture the "uh-luh" sound, similar to other words like "umbrella" or "spell."

2. Analogy Errors:

Certain words contain "ell" pairs and a "t" sound, like "cell" or "spell." Someone new to English spelling might make an analogy and apply the "ell" spelling to "repel" based on these similar words.

3. Finger Slips and Autocorrect:

Typing errors or autocorrect malfunctions can easily land someone on "repell." The proximity of "e" and "l" keys on keyboards can lead to typos, and autocorrect might not always recognize the right word depending on the context.

Enlist the help of an AI proofreader to ensure that your written work has no grammatical errors.

Here are some additional factors to consider:

Frequency: "Repell" is not a very common misspelling, and it's much less frequent than other misspellings like "teh" or "thru."
Age and Education: Studies suggest that younger children and individuals with less formal education may be more likely to use "repell."
Digital vs. Handwritten: Misspellings like "repell" are more likely to occur in digital contexts like online gaming or texting compared to formal writing.

Other misspellings of repel

Common misspellings of "repel" include:

reppel
reple
reapel
reppell
repelll

Example sentences for the misuse of the word repel as repell

Below are example sentences highlighting that “repell” is an incorrect spelling.

The correct spelling is "repel," not "repell," as the latter is a common misspelling.
In the report, there's a typo; please note that the proper term is "repel," not "repell."
The mosquito repellent is effective against bugs, but remember to use the correct spelling— it's "repel," not "repell."
The students were instructed to proofread their essays and correct errors, including the misuse of "repell," which should be written as "repel."
The product label indicates that it can repel stains, but there seems to be a mistake in the spelling; it should be spelled "repel," not "repell."

Example sentences of repel

The strong scent of the insect repellent helped repel mosquitoes during the outdoor camping trip.
The electric charge on the balloon caused it to repel other balloons, demonstrating the principles of static electricity.
The castle's imposing walls were designed to repel invaders and provide a strong defense against external threats.
The waterproof coating on the jacket is formulated to repel water, keeping the wearer dry in rainy conditions.
The superhero used her special suit to repel the enemy's laser attacks, showcasing its advanced protective features.
The strong arguments presented in the debate failed to repel the opposing viewpoint, resulting in a lively and engaging discussion.
The new surface treatment on the car's windshield is designed to repel dirt and water, improving visibility in various weather conditions.
The intense training regimen aimed to help soldiers develop the mental resilience needed to repel the challenges of combat.
Certain substances in plants are known to repel pests, acting as a natural defense mechanism against insects.
The magnetic field generated by the north pole of one magnet can repel the north pole of another, illustrating the principles of magnetism.

Synonyms for repel

Deter
Rebuff
Resist
Reject
Drive away
Fend off
Discourage
Thwart
Combat
Defend against

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