repress

[ ri-pres ]
See synonyms for repress on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to keep under control, check, or suppress (desires, feelings, actions, tears, etc.).

  2. to keep down or suppress (anything objectionable).

  1. to put down or quell (sedition, disorder, etc.).

  2. to reduce (persons) to subjection.

  3. Psychology, Psychoanalysis. to reject (painful or disagreeable ideas, memories, feelings, or impulses) from the conscious mind.

verb (used without object)
  1. to initiate or undergo repression.

Origin of repress

1
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English repressen, from Latin repressus (past participle of reprimere ), equivalent to re- re- + pressus, past participle of premere “to exert steady force against, apply pressure to, press”; see press1

synonym study For repress

1. See check1.

Other words for repress

Opposites for repress

Other words from repress

  • re·press·i·ble, adjective
  • non·re·press·i·ble, adjective
  • non·re·press·i·ble·ness, noun
  • non·re·press·i·bly, adverb
  • o·ver·re·press, verb (used with object)
  • un·re·press·i·ble, adjective

Words that may be confused with repress

Words Nearby repress

Other definitions for re-press (2 of 2)

re-press
[ ree-pres ]

verb (used with or without object)
  1. to press again or anew.

Origin of re-press

2
First recorded in 1870–75; re- + press1

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use repress in a sentence

  • The Women of England, of whatever rank, studiously avoid peculiarities of dress or manner and repress idiosyncrasies of character.

    Glances at Europe | Horace Greeley
  • Gilbert made a great clatter with his knife and fork, to conceal the laugh that he could not repress.

    The World Before Them | Susanna Moodie
  • She did not answer, but her mobile, painted lips quivered, as if she were trying to repress a smile and were not quite succeeding.

    Bella Donna | Robert Hichens
  • He had to repress a smile as he followed where the other led him to a gray speedster in a distant corner of the open concourse.

  • Stirling was never addicted to mincing matters, but Weston could not quite repress a grin.

    The Gold Trail | Harold Bindloss

British Dictionary definitions for repress

repress

/ (rɪˈprɛs) /


verb(tr)
  1. to keep (feelings, etc) under control; suppress or restrain: to repress a desire

  2. to put into a state of subjugation: to repress a people

  1. psychoanal to banish (thoughts and impulses that conflict with conventional standards of conduct) from one's conscious mind

Origin of repress

1
C14: from Latin reprimere to press back, from re- + premere to press 1

Derived forms of repress

  • represser, noun
  • repressible, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012