What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
repel
Example
The magnet repels the metal object. [repel: verb]
Example
Oil and water repel each other due to their different chemical properties. [repel: verb]
Example
The smell of rotten eggs repels me. [repel: verb]
reject
Example
I had to reject the job offer because it didn't meet my expectations. [reject: verb]
Example
The company rejected his application due to lack of experience. [rejected: past tense]
Example
She felt rejected by her friends after they excluded her from the party. [rejected: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reject is more commonly used than repel in everyday language. Reject is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while repel is less common and is often used in specific technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between repel and reject?
Reject is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as business or academic settings, while repel is more informal and is often used in casual conversation or creative writing.
