| Main Entry: | deflect |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | bounce off; turn aside |
Synonyms: |
avert, bend, cover up, curve, deviate, disperse, diverge, divert, fend, glance off, hold off, hook, keep off, parry, pivot, ricochet, sheer, shy, sidetrack, slew, slip, swerve, twist, veer, volte-face, wheel, whip, whirl, wind |
| Main Entry: | fend off |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | keep at bay |
Synonyms: |
avert, avoid, beat off, deflect, drive back, hold at bay, keep at a distance, keep at arm's length, keep off, parry, rebuff, rebuke, rebut, refuse, reject, repel, repulse, resist, snub, spurn, stave off, turn aside, ward off |
Antonyms: |
let in |
| Main Entry: | rebut |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | argue against; prove wrong |
Synonyms: |
break, come back at, confound, confute, controvert, cross, defeat, deny, disconfirm, disprove, evert, fend off, get back at, hold off, invalidate, keep off, negate, negative, overturn, prove false, quash, refute, repel, repulse, stave off, take on, top, ward off |
| Notes: | to rebut a statement is to offer clear evidence or a reasoned argument against it; to refute a statement is to prove it wrong (neither means 'contradict' or 'deny') |
Antonyms: |
agree, approve, back down, concede |
| Main Entry: | repel |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | push away; repulse |
Synonyms: |
beat back, beat off, brush off, buck, cast aside, chase away, check, confront, cool*, cut, decline, dismiss, disown, dispute, drive away, drive back, drive off, duel, fend off, fight, force back, force off, give cold shoulder to, hold back, hold off, keep at arm's length, keep at bay, keep off, kick, knock down, oppose, parry, push back, put down, put to flight, rebuff, rebut, refuse, reject, resist, stand up against, stave off, traverse, turn down, ward off, withstand |
Antonyms: |
attract, draw |
| Main Entry: | repulse |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | push away |
Synonyms: |
beat off, brush off, check, defeat, drive back, fend off, fight off, heave-ho, hold off, keep off, kick in the teeth, nix, overthrow, push back, put down, rebuff, rebut, reject, repel, resist, set back, stave off, throw back, ward off |
Antonyms: |
attract, enchant |
| Main Entry: | ward/ward off |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | defend, guard |
Synonyms: |
avert, avoid, beat off, block, check, deflect, deter, divert, fend, foil, forestall, frustrate, halt, hold off, interrupt, keep at arm's length, keep at bay, keep off, obviate, parry, preclude, prevent, rebuff, rebut, repel, repulse, rule out, stave off, stop, stymie*, thwart, turn, turn aside, turn away |
Antonyms: |
lay bare, make vulnerable, open |