1. To ward something off of or away from someone or something; to cause something to stay away from someone or something. A noun or pronoun is used between "repel" and "from." I've packed a powerful spray to repel mosquitos from us during our trip. Jacket is coated with a special solution that repels water from its surface.

2. To fight against and force or drive someone or something back and away from something or some place. A noun or pronoun is used between "repel" and "from." We were able to repel the enemy soldiers from the fort. The country's small army repelled the massive invasion from the shores of their island.