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View synonyms for repress

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


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Derived Forms

  • reˈpressible, adjective
  • reˈpresser, noun

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Other Words From

  • 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

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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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of repress1

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

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Synonym Study

See check 1.

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Example Sentences

Using technology to discriminate against people, or to surveil and repress them, would clearly be unethical.

All of them are pinched with unease, a vague anxiety repressed during the day but unleashed once the lights go off.

Multiple news reports in recent years have detailed how Beijing uses tech surveillance in Xinjiang to repress its Uighur population.

From Fortune

In a country of amnesiacs that observes Labor Day with all the energy of a repressed yawn, this story is a rousing celebration of the forgotten heroes who devoted their lives and shed their blood to ensure the dignity of American work.

She is confusing and frightening and probably violent, and the only thing we can do with her is violently repress her, shove her into the attic and hope she doesn’t cause too much trouble.

From Vox

Krampus makes manifest the shadow sides of human nature that Christianity seeks to repress.

The deal with the Iranian government will give them a free hand to repress activists and keep political prisoners behind bars.

Saudi Arabia wanted to establish an Islamic state in Afghanistan and repress Shia (it wants the same in Syria today).

The Iraqi could barely repress his glee, and did a kind of jig as he walked across the room.

Also, expect attempts to repress it by those in power—who stand to directly lose the most.

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

Gilbert made a great clatter with his knife and fork, to conceal the laugh that he could not repress.

She did not answer, but her mobile, painted lips quivered, as if she were trying to repress a smile and were not quite succeeding.

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.

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representativesrepressed