repressed

[ ri-prest ]

/ rɪˈprɛst /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR repressed ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

subjected to, affected by, or characteristic of psychological repression: repressed emotional conflicts.

Nearby words

representational, representationalism, representative, representatives, repress, repressed, represser, repressible enzyme, repression, repressive, repressor

Origin of repressed

First recorded in 1900–05; repress + -ed²

Related forms

non·re·pressed, adjectiveun·re·pressed, adjective

Definition for repressed (2 of 3)

re-press

[ ree-pres ]

/ ˈriˈprɛs /

verb (used with or without object)

to press again or anew.

Origin of re-press

First recorded in 1870–75; re- + press¹

Definition for repressed (3 of 3)

repress

[ ri-pres ]

/ rɪˈprɛs /

verb (used with object)

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

to keep down or suppress (anything objectionable).

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

to reduce (persons) to subjection.

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

verb (used without object)

to initiate or undergo repression.

Origin of repress

1325–75; Middle English repressen < Latin repressus (past participle of reprimere), equivalent to re- re- + pressus, past participle of primere to press¹

SYNONYMS FOR repress

1 bridle, control.

3 subdue, quash.

4 crush.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR repress ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR repress

1–4 foster.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR repress ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

re·press·i·ble, adjectivenon·re·press·i·ble, adjectivenon·re·press·i·ble·ness, nounnon·re·press·i·bly, adverb

o·ver·re·press, verb (used with object)un·re·press·i·ble, adjective

Can be confused

oppress repress

Synonym study

1. See check¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for repressed

Not to mention the core Christian idea that sexuality is, itself, a necessary evil, and something that must be repressed.
Church Sex Scandals Are Rooted in Theology|Jay Michaelson|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This inner world, as Freud and others had previously suggested, was a fiction of repressed fantasies, dreams, and visions.
Joseph O'Neill's 'The Dog' Has a Dystopian Dubai as Modernity's Stand-In|J.P. O’Malley|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The characters in Downton and in that time period are often quite reserved and their emotions are repressed.
How Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt Navigated Anna's Controversial Rape Arc|Kevin Fallon|August 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Repressed anger is one of the key dimensions to this struggle.
Model Minority Rage: Why the Hulk Should Be an Asian Guy|Arthur Chu|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This struggle is for those who have been repressed, this struggle is for those who are imprisoned.
Exclusive: Read the Speech Venezuelan Opposition Leader Leopoldo López Made Before He Was Jailed|Leopoldo Lopez|February 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You are overflowing with repressed energy, Marjorie, Mrs. Dean said, looking a trifle anxious.
Marjorie Dean College Freshman|Pauline Lester
Frances asked, with dignity, although a certain dimple refused to be repressed.
The Spectacle Man|Mary F. Leonard
To her luxurious but austerely managed villa, Aunt Septima welcomed Brinnaria with heartfelt, if repressed affection.
The Unwilling Vestal|Edward Lucas White
She had not repressed his talents from cool calculation, but it had been pleasant to her to see him grow up free from aspirations.
Cleopatra, Complete|Georg Ebers
The blood suddenly grew hot in Fairchild's veins; he whistled, he repressed a wild, spasmodic desire to shout.
The Cross-Cut|Courtney Ryley Cooper

British Dictionary definitions for repressed (1 of 2)

repressed

/ (rɪˈprɛst) /

adjective

(of a person) repressing feelings, instincts, desires, etc

British Dictionary definitions for repressed (2 of 2)

repress

/ (rɪˈprɛs) /

verb (tr)

to keep (feelings, etc) under control; suppress or restrainto repress a desire

to put into a state of subjugationto repress a people

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

Derived Forms

represser, nounrepressible, adjective

Word Origin for repress

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

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

Medicine definitions for repressed (1 of 2)

repressed

[ rĭ-prĕst′ ]

adj.

Being subjected to or characterized by repression.

Medicine definitions for repressed (2 of 2)

repress

[ rĭ-prĕs′ ]

v.

To hold back by an act of volition.

To exclude something from the conscious mind.