dispel

[dih-spel]

verb (used with object)

dispelled, dispelling 

1. to drive off in various directions; disperse; dissipate.

   to dispel the dense fog.

   Antonyms: gather

2. to cause to vanish; alleviate.

   to dispel her fears.

dispel

/ dɪˈspɛl /

verb

1. (tr) to disperse or drive away

Other Word Forms

• dispeller noun
• dispellable adjective
• undispellable adjective
• undispelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispel¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin dispellere “to drive asunder,” equivalent to dis- dis- ¹ + pellere “to drive”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispel¹

C17: from Latin dispellere, from _dis- ¹ + pellere to drive

Synonym Study

See scatter.

Example Sentences

Dame Diana told BBC Surrey she wanted to dispel the myth that if thieves take goods worth less than £200 they would not be prosecuted.

From BBC

In many cases, that constant sense of tension has not been dispelled by the return to civilian life.

From BBC

So what better way to dispel those views than by headlining three nights of London's biggest festival - performing to more than 150,000 people in the process?

From BBC

But he also sought to dispel the narrative that city is under siege.

From Los Angeles Times

"That is not acceptable," she said, adding that Unicef is working with churches and community leaders to encourage vaccination and to dispel any misinformation.

From BBC

Related Words

• allay 
• chase away www.thesaurus.com
• dismiss 
• disperse 
• dissipate 
• eliminate 
• resolve