What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
expellant
Example
The farmer used an expellant spray to keep the insects away from his crops. [expellant: noun]
Example
The cleaning solution acted as an expellant, removing the dirt and grime from the surface. [expellant: adjective]
repellent
Example
The mosquito repellent kept the bugs away during our camping trip. [repellent: noun]
Example
The strong odor of the cleaning solution was repellent and made me feel nauseous. [repellent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repellent is more commonly used than expellant in everyday language. Repellent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while expellant is less common and is often used in technical or practical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between expellant and repellent?
Both expellant and repellent are formal words that are typically used in technical or scientific contexts. However, repellent can also be used in informal contexts to describe social or emotional situations.
