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View synonyms for

repress

[ ri-pres ]

verb (used with object)

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

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  2. to keep down or suppress (anything objectionable).

    Antonyms:

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

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  4. to reduce (persons) to subjection.

    Synonyms:

    Antonyms:

  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

/ ɪˈɛ /

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
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ, noun
  • ˈ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ··· adjective
  • non···· adjective
  • non·····ness noun
  • ԴDz···· adverb
  • ··· verb (used with object)
  • un···· 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

Examples have not been reviewed.

The sanctions were previously imposed on people involved in repressing civilians in Syria, as well as those supporting or benefitting from the Assad regime.

From

We can choose to look the other way as political activists are targeted, detained, repressed and deported for their ethnic backgrounds and political views.

From

Now, however, there are fresh concerns: while Syria under Assad saw political debates repressed, some worry that repression by clerics could end up forbidding some forms of art seen as anti-religious.

From

Tran, meanwhile, can’t remember her character’s secret, but believes she was so repressed in the beginning of the film it was probably a secret even to herself.

From

They were repressed and wanting romance, and even though it’s a much different world now, I think a lot of people are feeling repressed and wanting romance.

From

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