Attraction and repulsion between magnets

Repulsion occurs when like poles (N-N or S-S) of the magnets are kept closer to each other. Attraction occurs when unlike poles (N-S or S-N) of the magnets are kept closer to each other. Like poles repel whereas unlike poles attract each other.

Example

If you hold two bar magnets, and bring one close to the other, you will observe one of two things. Either the magnets will resist being pushed together, or they will snap together. Here is a perfect example of force as a push or a pull. When two opposite magnetic poles are close, they attract each other.