dispel
verb
dis·pel di-ˈspel 
dispelled; dispelling
transitive verb
: to drive away or cause to vanish by or as if by scattering : dissipate
dispel a rumor
Synonyms
- clear out
- disband
- disperse
- dissipate
- scatter
- squander
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
This report should dispel any doubts you have about the plan. She made an official statement to dispel any rumors about her retirement. The experience dispelled some of our fears about the process.
Recent Examples on the Web These outdoor experts dispel some of the common misconceptions about bears and highlight five safety hiking and camping tips to keep in mind. 
Johanna Flashman, SELF, 22 Aug. 2022 The Sheriff’s Office quickly moved to dispel claims of an active shooter in the area, delivering updates to its social media channels moments after shots were being reported online. David Harris, Orlando Sentinel, 23 July 2022 The guys try dispel the myth that sharks are man-eating beasts through extreme challenges. Marianne Garvey, CNN, 11 July 2022 But what Banchero has shown so far doesn't dispel the question marks that followed him into the draft. Rahat Huq, Chron, 11 July 2022 His image also got a boost from Isabella’s pregnancy, since that helped dispel some of the rumors about his sexuality, plus a royal baby is always good for PR. Anne Thériault, Longreads, 21 June 2022 Odenkirk is open to talking about his experience, in part out of a desire to dispel COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, which spread online in the wake of his heart attack. Barbara Vandenburgh, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2022 Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube partnered with the World Health Organization to inform users about limiting the spread of the coronavirus and to dispel misinformation. NBC News, 21 Oct. 2021 However, other medical professionals have highlighted the need to share as much research with the public about vaccine side effects and to dispel misinformation surrounding side effects. Alice Broster, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2021 See More
Johanna Flashman, SELF, 22 Aug. 2022 The Sheriff’s Office quickly moved to dispel claims of an active shooter in the area, delivering updates to its social media channels moments after shots were being reported online. David Harris, Orlando Sentinel, 23 July 2022 The guys try dispel the myth that sharks are man-eating beasts through extreme challenges. Marianne Garvey, CNN, 11 July 2022 But what Banchero has shown so far doesn't dispel the question marks that followed him into the draft. Rahat Huq, Chron, 11 July 2022 His image also got a boost from Isabella’s pregnancy, since that helped dispel some of the rumors about his sexuality, plus a royal baby is always good for PR. Anne Thériault, Longreads, 21 June 2022 Odenkirk is open to talking about his experience, in part out of a desire to dispel COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, which spread online in the wake of his heart attack. Barbara Vandenburgh, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2022 Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube partnered with the World Health Organization to inform users about limiting the spread of the coronavirus and to dispel misinformation. NBC News, 21 Oct. 2021 However, other medical professionals have highlighted the need to share as much research with the public about vaccine side effects and to dispel misinformation surrounding side effects. Alice Broster, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin dispellere, from dis- + pellere to drive, beat — more at felt
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
dispel
verb
dis·pel di-ˈspel
dispelled; dispelling
: to make go away
dispel doubts
dispelling
verb
as in dispersing
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart the sudden downpour dispelled the throng of street revelers Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dispersing
- dissipating
- scattering
- disbanding
- squandering
- isolating
- segregating
- diffusing
- separating
- disseminating
- clearing out
- spreading
- parting
- diverging
- splitting (up)
- breaking up
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- collecting
- concentrating
- assembling
- gathering
- clustering
- congregating
- uniting
- agglutinating
- unifying
- conglomerating
- ingathering