How to pronounce repel
Say it like rih-PEL. Repel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce repel. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- PEL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Repel pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- PELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of repel
American and British speakers say repel in essentially the same way: /rɪˈpɛl/ in the US and /rɪˈpɛl/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-PEL.
What does repel mean?
- To reject, put off (a request, demand etc.).
- To ward off (a malignant influence, attack etc.).
- To drive back (an assailant, advancing force etc.).
Where does repel come from?
From Middle English repellen, a borrowing from Old French *repeller, from Latin repellere (“to drive back”), from re- (“back”) + pellere (“to drive”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with repel
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of repel.
Questions about saying repel
How do you pronounce repel?
Say rih-PEL. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈpɛl/. In British English it is /rɪˈpɛl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in repel?
Repel has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PEL). Broken into parts: rih · PEL.
Do Americans and Brits say repel the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈpɛl/ and the British form is /rɪˈpɛl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.