noun figuratively: refusal; denial; rejection; failure.
2. repulse ·noun the act of repelling or driving back; also, the state of being repelled or driven back.
3. repulse ·vt to repel; to beat or drive back; as, to repulse an assault; to repulse the enemy.
4. repulse ·vt to repel by discourtesy, coldness, or denial; to reject; to send away; as, to repulse a suitor or a proffer.