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

This strategy involves the central bank artificially repressing bond yields in the market.

Read more on MarketWatch

Beijing has been accused for years of repressing the Muslim Uyghur minority in the province, which borders Kazakhstan.

Read more on Barron's

Sadi denied accusations that authorities had repressed the demonstrations sparked by Tchiroma's calls, insisting that "there was no disproportionate use of force by law enforcement".

Read more on Barron's

Tanzania's police declared an evening curfew in commercial capital Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, after protests broke out in the city as the country held elections criticised for repressing the opposition.

Read more on Barron's

Burkina Faso's military government, which emerged from a September 2022 coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, has regularly been accused of repressing figures the junta considers hostile.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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