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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

dispel

Verb

IPA /dɪˈspel/

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Meaning in plain English

To make a doubt, fear, belief or other feeling disappear.

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Pronunciation

dispel/dɪˈspel/

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  1. A rumour causes concern

  2. Clear evidence explains the truth

  3. The concern disappears

To dispel a fear or rumour is to make it go away.

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Examples in context

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  1. A quick phone call dispelled my fear that she had missed the train.
  2. The teacher used a demonstration to dispel a common misunderstanding.

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The teacher used a demonstration to ________ a common misunderstanding.
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dispel — To make a doubt, fear, belief or other feeling disappear.

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To make a doubt, fear, belief or other feeling disappear.

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Word origin

From Latin dispellere, combining elements meaning apart and drive.

Did you know?

Dispelled and dispelling double the l.

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dispel

/dɪˈspel/ (Verb)

“Common objects include doubts, fears, rumours and myths. Say dispel a rumour, not dispel someone from a rumour.”

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