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

Derived Forms

• reˈpresser, noun
• reˈpressible, adjective

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

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

“I thought maybe Sister Agnes would be nervous too, so I used that. I didn’t have to repress it. She’s not part of the brawl with the men. She doesn’t get into the opinion of who should be the next pope. When she does speak, she speaks what she knows and goes back to her vow of being silent and invisible and obedient.”

From Los Angeles Times

Those groups, along with others that take a pro-Palestinian stance, say it is worded in a way that would repress protest and speech in support of Palestinians.

From Los Angeles Times

The opposition leaders had earlier called on the security forces to "side with the people" and ignore any orders to repress the anti-government protests.

From BBC

In a statement Mr Blinken said threats to arrest Ms Machado and Mr González "are an undemocratic attempt to repress political participation and retain power".

From BBC

Sean Malloy, a UC Merced associate professor of history and critical race and ethnic studies, asserted that regents were trying to “gag faculty speech” and that the proposed policy reflected efforts to repress the growing movement for Palestinian solidarity across UC campuses.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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