repress

1 of 2

verb (1)

re·​press ri-ˈpres 

repressed; repressing; represses

transitive verb

1

a

: to check by or as if by pressure : curb

injustice was repressed

b

: to put down by force : subdue

repress a disturbance

2

a

: to hold in by self-control

repressed a laugh

b

: to prevent the natural or normal expression, activity, or development of

repressed her anger

3

: to exclude from consciousness

repressed the memory of abuse

4

: to inactivate (a gene or formation of a gene product) by allosteric combination at a DNA binding site

intransitive verb

: to take repressive action

repressibility

ri-ˌpre-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

repressible

ri-ˈpre-sə-bəl 

adjective

repressive

ri-ˈpre-siv 

adjective

repressively adverb

repressiveness noun

re-press

2 of 2

verb (2)

(ˌ)rē-ˈpres 

re-pressed; re-pressing; re-presses

transitive verb

: to press again

re-press a record

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• clamp down (on)
• crack down (on)
• crush
• put down
• quash
• quell
• silence
• slap down
• snuff (out)
• squash
• squelch
• subdue
• suppress

Examples of repress in a Sentence

Verb (1)

Religious groups were severely repressed.

quickly repressed the rebellion in the provincial city and restored order

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The character is both active and responsive, required to take the initiative, cope with frustrations, compromise himself morally and essentially repress the more vulnerable sides of himself, but Bakri finds a way to convey a rounded sense of the young man’s softer side as well. —Catherine Bray, Variety, 22 May 2024

The arrests have rattled academia to its core, inviting criticism that schools are using force to repress the most significant student movement in recent history, but also support from people who see some aspects of the anti-Israel protests as antisemitic. —Adrian Florido, NPR, 18 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French represser, from Latin repressus, past participle of reprimere to check, from re- + premere to press — more at press

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

repress

verb

re·​press ri-ˈpres 

1

a

: to check by or as if by pressure

injustice was repressed

b

: to put down by force : subdue

2

a

: to hold in by self-control

repressed a laugh

b

: to prevent the natural or normal expression, activity, or development of

repress one's anger

3

: to shut out of consciousness

repressed a painful past

repressible

-ˈpres-ə-bəl 

adjective

repressive

-ˈpres-iv 

adjective

Medical Definition

repress

transitive verb

re·​press ri-ˈpres 

1

: to exclude from consciousness

repress conflicts

2

: to inactivate (a gene or formation of a gene product) by allosteric combination at a DNA binding site