repress

[ri-pres]

verb (used with object)

1. to keep under control, check, or suppress (desires, feelings, actions, tears, etc.).

   Synonyms: control, bridle
   Antonyms: foster

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

   Antonyms: foster

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

   Synonyms: quash, subdue
   Antonyms: foster

4. to reduce (persons) to subjection.

   Synonyms: crush
   Antonyms: foster

5. 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.

repress

/ rɪˈprɛs /

verb

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

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

Other Word Forms

• repressible adjective
• nonrepressible adjective
• nonrepressibleness noun
• nonrepressibly adverb
• overrepress verb (used with object)
• unrepressible adjective
• represser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of repress¹

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”; press ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of repress¹

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

Synonym Study

See check ¹.

Example Sentences

They also exaggerate the fear that is already there, especially in characters repressing their inner demons.

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Cameroon's second president since independence from France in 1960, Biya has ruled with an iron fist, personally appointing and dismissing key officials and ruthlessly repressing all political and armed opposition.

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They argue that they cannot engage a government that has been repressing them as they demand basic human rights.

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The group’s statement warned that “those forces have returned,” recalling what it called “a dark time when the federal government repressed and persecuted American citizens for their political beliefs.”

Read more on Salon

Repressed emotions, repressed bonds, repressed loved ones can haunt us for the rest of our lives if we decide to shut them out.

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Related Words

• crush 
• inhibit 
• muffle 
• quash 
• quell 
• restrain 
• squelch 
• stifle 
• subdue 
• subjugate 
• suppress