MEANING
To make a doubt, fear, belief, or impression disappear by clearing it away.
Use it for
Show a doubt or impression being cleared away.Describe evidence, light, or reassurance removing a doubt, fear, rumor, or illusion.
Words that belong together
- dispel a fear
- dispel doubt
- dispel a rumor
On the page
The dawn failed to dispel the shape waiting beyond the fence.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Word forms
- Base
- dispel
- Past tense
- dispelled
- Past participle
- dispelled
- Present participle
- dispelling
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- dispel
- Present continuous
- am/is/are dispelling
- Present perfect
- have/has dispelled
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been dispelling
- Past
- dispelled
- Past continuous
- was/were dispelling
- Past perfect
- had dispelled
- Past perfect continuous
- had been dispelling
- Future
- will dispel
- Future continuous
- will be dispelling
- Future perfect
- will have dispelled
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been dispelling
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
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Usage notes
Usually takes something intangible such as fear, doubt, rumor, illusion, or confusion; it does not mean merely postpone it.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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