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

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

“Democratic leaders don’t love demonstrations against their policies and actions, but they tend to hold back on repressing the protests, arresting protesters whose actions are lawful, or using aggressive crowd-control techniques.”

Read more on Salon

“Since Maduro came to power, the military have been trained to repress protests inside the country, rather than defend Venezuela in a conventional conflict,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He has ruled with an iron fist, repressing all political and armed opposition, and holding onto power through social upheaval, economic disparity and separatist violence.

Read more on Barron's

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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