repress

verb

ri-ˈpres How to pronounce repress (audio)
Definition of repressnext
1
as in to suppress
to put a stop to (something) by the use of force quickly repressed the rebellion in the provincial city and restored order

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stifle
to refrain from openly showing or uttering you can't repress your feelings forever, so tell her how you feel about her

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of repress While dealing with the sexist discrimination the regime enforces, Panahi still makes space for lighthearted moments when the women’s joy, even from a distance, can’t be repressed. — Carlos Aguilar, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026 His arrest came during a years-long crackdown on civil society and dissent, which began following mass protests in 2018 that the government violently repressed. — Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026 His arrest came during a yearslong crackdown on civil society and dissent, which began following mass protests in 2018 that the government violently repressed. — ABC News, 8 June 2026 In Montecito, closet-envy is one of many examples of Deborah’s competitive nature, which the character is unable to repress while trying to scam fellow comedian, Cherry Kilpatrick. — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for repress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repress
  1. suppress
  2. stifle
  3. quell
  4. swallow
  5. subdue
Verb
  • Record-setting heat is suspected in 25 deaths from the Deep South to the Midwest to the East Coast, authorities said, with the temperature highs also suppressing some Fourth of July celebrations.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • When coated onto a polypropylene separator with graphene, the material formed a thin interfacial layer that readily absorbed electrolyte while suppressing polysulfide migration.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Definition of suppress
Verb
  • Cubans strolled along el Paseo del Prado promenade in the inky night, desperate to escape the stifling heat of their homes.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • The outages come as some areas are expected to experience severe weather and stifling heat again on Saturday.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 July 2026
Definition of stifle
Verb
  • The security adjustments aren’t expected to quell Mexico’s World Cup fever.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • The people ended up burning down the house of one of the tax collectors, prompting President George Washington to raise the first federal army against them and quickly quell the revolt.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of quell
Verb
  • The product, used to manage swallowing difficulties, might cause NEC, the FDA said.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Selling now and realizing a 40% loss is a difficult pill to swallow.
    — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 1 July 2026
Definition of swallow
Verb
  • Cops on foot chased the teen down, using a Taser to subdue him near Rogers Ave.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026
  • For all the bombast surrounding the official proceedings, beginning with the UFC fight at the White House, elsewhere the mood has seemed subdued.
    — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
Definition of subdue

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represents
repress
repressed
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Cite this Entry

“Repress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repress. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on repress

Nglish: Translation of repress for Spanish Speakers

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