repressed

adjective

re·​pressed ri-ˈprest 

1

: subjected to or marked by repression

2

: characterized by restraint

Synonyms

• conservative
• low-key
• low-keyed
• muted
• quiet
• restrained
• sober
• subdued
• toned-down
• understated
• unflashy
• unpretentious

Examples of repressed in a Sentence

a 19th-century church in the repressed style favored by the strict religious sect

Recent Examples on the Web

The introduction of Spacek as Molly’s mother, Gail, is a needed catalyst that drives Molly’s repressed trauma out into the light. —Erin Qualey, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025

Gail Baines is buttoned-up, repressed school administrator who struggles to connect to people, including her co-workers, her daughter Debbie, and her ex-husband, Max. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 30 Mar. 2025

For you, the equinox marks a time to face repressed emotions and memories that have been lingering in your psyche for a while. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Three generations of the Kim family have created a politically repressed and economically impoverished state that is nonetheless a pivotal actor on the global stage. —Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for repressed

• acquiesced
• coalesced
• dispossessed
• manifest
• overdressed
• overstressed
• prepossessed
• reassessed
• reinvest
• repossessed
• unaddressed
• uncompressed

Kids Definition

repressed

adjective

re·​pressed ri-ˈprest 

1

: subjected to or marked by repression

a repressed child

2

: characterized by a keeping in check

Medical Definition

repressed

adjective

re·​pressed ri-ˈprest 

: subjected to or marked by repression

a repressed child

repressed anger