Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cause something, especially a feeling, idea, or group, to vanish or scatter; to drive away or eliminate something intangible or tangible.
   • To make something, such as doubts, fears, or darkness, disappear or dissipate.

Usage

• Verb (transitive): The verb "dispel" is used with a direct object. It describes the action of removing or clearing away something, often an abstract concept like a mood or belief.
  • The teacher's explanation helped dispel the students' confusion.
  • The sun's rays finally dispelled the morning fog.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to dispel a notion/myth": to prove that a commonly held idea is false.
  • The documentary aimed to dispel the myth that sharks are mindless killers.
• "to dispel concerns": to alleviate worries or fears.
  • The safety inspection was conducted to dispel public concerns about the building's structure.

Variants and Related Words

• Dispelled (verb, past tense/participle): The act of having caused something to vanish.
  • His fears were dispelled after receiving the good news.
• Dispelling (verb, present participle/gerund): The process of causing something to vanish.
  • She is focused on dispelling any misunderstandings.

Synonyms

• Disperse: To scatter or spread over a wide area (often for physical things like crowds).
• Dissipate: To cause something to disappear or fade away, often gradually (e.g., heat, energy, doubts).
• Banish: To send away, especially forcefully; to get rid of (thoughts or feelings).
• Allay: To diminish or put to rest (fears or concerns).

Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Dispel" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically expressed by the single verb.)

Related Idioms

• "To dispel the clouds": A metaphorical idiom meaning to remove sadness, worry, or a difficult situation, bringing clarity or happiness.
  • His apology helped dispel the clouds of misunderstanding between them.

Verb

1. to cause to separate and go in different directions
   • She waved her hand and scattered the crowds
2. force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
   • Drive away potential burglars
   • drive away bad thoughts
   • dispel doubts
   • The supermarket had to turn back many disappointed customers