What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
repeller
Example
The ultrasonic pest repeller kept the mice out of the house. [repeller: noun]
Example
His negative attitude made him a social repeller. [repeller: noun]
Example
The magnetic field acted as a repeller, pushing the two magnets apart. [repeller: noun]
repellent
Example
I sprayed insect repellent on my skin to keep mosquitoes away. [repellent: noun]
Example
His rude behavior was repellent to others. [repellent: adjective]
Example
The negative charge on the balloon made it a repellent to the positively charged wall. [repellent: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Repellent is more commonly used than repeller in everyday language. Repellent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while repeller is less common and refers to specific devices or substances that repel pests or animals.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between repeller and repellent?
Both repeller and repellent can be used in formal and informal contexts, but repellent is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.
