REPRESSED Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

repressed 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈprest

Definition of repressed

as in muted

not excessively showy a 19th-century church in the repressed style favored by the strict religious sect

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

repressed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of repress

as in suppressed

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

as in stifled

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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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 repressed

Adjective

The American Victorian era was super repressed, almost like fetishized repression. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026 The book covers 25 cases from Law & Order and its spinoffs’ most popular episodes, from how a woman’s repressed memory led to solving a 30-year-old cold case to the high-profile investigation of millionaire Robert Durst. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

Tottenham, repressed for so long in their spending and ambition, are suddenly flashing the cash like a slot machine, dropping £237million ($324m) already. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The chart surge comes after Bring Me the Horizon’s early catalog was recently repressed and reissued on vinyl as part of the band’s anniversary celebration surrounding two decades of Count Your Blessings. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repressed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for repressed

Adjective

The corporate nerve center is clad in the company palette of muted grays and bright-red accents.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Volumes were very muted Monday for the first extended session for stocks.

— Oliver Renick,Tyler Bailey, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of muted

Verb

The workers organized a strike, but their efforts were brutally suppressed.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
For 15 years multiple rounds of quantitative easing kept yields suppressed below 3% and often even close to zero, returns which are hardly competitive with stocks.

— Justin Zacks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of suppressed

Adjective

Her perspective—consistently serene and largely without self-interest—lends the novel a restrained and gently contemplative tone.

— Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
The hotel interprets this mantra through balanced proportions, restrained interiors, and a hospitality approach that favors comfort over excess.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of restrained

Verb

The quiet moments of the offseason were eventually quelled by the madness of a young locker room, on a team replete with potential.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Ossoff has repeatedly denied interest in a White House bid, but that hasn’t quelled the talk.

— Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of quelled

Verb

All the while, another machine consisting of a motor, a cylindrical blade assembly and a conveyor belt swallowed logs into one end and delivered a stream of wood chips out the other.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Before he was swallowed by one in Whalefall, Austin Abrams flew to Dominica to see a sperm whale up close.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of swallowed

Adjective

Oddly enough, her two Best Actress plays are both black-and-white, European period pieces, but while Rose is full of gender-bending swagger, Fatherland is a more subdued performance.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Making waves across industries like fashion, beauty, and even interior design, the sensual shade feels more subdued and high-end than alternative reds while being easy to style in the cold-weather months.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of subdued

Adjective

After a quiet day otherwise, Riley exploded for 33- and 72-yard rushing touchdowns to finish as the game’s leading rusher with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
But following intense backlash to the 2024 anti-war protests, some students, faculty and external observers say campuses have become uncharacteristically quiet.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of quiet

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Style

“Repressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repressed. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of repressed

adjective

verb

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