Because each of these words can mean "to drive back," they are often misused in situations where their meanings should be distinct. One can repel or repulse someone who attempts to mug him, but only repel conveys the idea of disgust, aversion, and loathing: "His rude manner repelled everyone at the party." Repulse is commonly associated with repulsive, which does mean "disgusting" or "offensive," but repulse means only "to turn away," "to reject," or "to refuse": "This girl repulsed every boy who wanted to dance with her because all of them repelled her."
Dictionary of problem words and expressions. Harry Shaw. 1975.