Repel vs. repulse. The verbs repel and repulse are generally used interchangeably in modern English, but they do have slightly different senses. Both mean to ward off or keep away, but repulse usually refers to physical actions, while repel (which is different from rappel) is more likely to be used figuratively or to denote emotional states.

Repel is a related term of repulse. As verbs the difference between repulse and repel is that repulse is to repel or drive back while repel is to turn (someone) away from a privilege, right, job, etc. As a noun repulse is the act of repulsing or the state of being repulsed.