repressed

adjective

re·​pressed ri-ˈprest How to pronounce repressed (audio)
Synonyms of repressednext
1
: subjected to or marked by repression
2
: characterized by restraint

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
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.
Tel Aviv, Israel — Undermining this moment of relief for many repressed Iranians is that killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a perilously simple fix to a very complex problem. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026 And that probably comes from seeing women in my life who have been so repressed that the eyes become their only real means of communication. Kennedy French, Variety, 28 Feb. 2026 The seven-episode limited series (four of which were screened for review) is also an intensely curious character study that centers the damage done by repressed desires, as well as the liberty found in their uninhibited acceptance. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Feb. 2026 By this time, both Ono and Lennon had found a form of relief in primal scream therapy, the psychological methodology that purports to relieve repressed pain through its intense expression. Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repressed

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of repressed was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Repressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repressed. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

repressed

adjective
re·​pressed ri-ˈprest How to pronounce repressed (audio)
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 How to pronounce repressed (audio)
: subjected to or marked by repression
a repressed child
repressed anger

More from Merriam-Webster on repressed

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