repress

play

verb re·press \ ri-ˈpres \

Definition of repress

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

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repressibility

play \-ˌpre-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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repressible

play \-ˈpre-sə-bəl\ adjective

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repressive

play \-ˈpre-siv\ adjective

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repressively

adverb

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repressiveness

noun

See repress defined for English-language learners

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Examples of repress in a Sentence

Religious groups were severely repressed.
quickly repressed the rebellion in the provincial city and restored order

Recent Examples of repress from the Web

When the Republicans lost the civil war and the fascists came to power in Spain, Basque and Catalan identities were brutally repressed.

— emily lever, Esquire, "The Revolutionary History of Espadrilles," 17 Aug. 2017
This in turn gave voice to and brought into the open the strong hatred that had been repressed by many.

— Howard County Times, "Racial divisions, animosity remain on full display [Letter]," 17 Aug. 2017
Low air pressure and background noises further impact the way we taste, by repressing the ability to taste sweet and salty foods, according to Spence.

— mahita gajanan, Time, "The Real Reason Why Airplane Food Tastes So Bad," 14 Aug. 2017
In my humble opinion, men who go out of their way to bash and/or degrade homosexuality may be repressing feelings of homosexuality themselves.

— corey townsend, The Root, "Brunch Is the Most Important Meal of the Gay?," 11 July 2017
That’s why somebody that represses fear may not be able to sleep well at night.

— connor grossman, SI.com, "How fear influences athletes—and what you can do to have a healthy relationship with it," 5 July 2017
Slavery was expensive and borderline inefficient, given the costs of repressing slave revolts.

— jason johnson, The Root, "Philando Castile Settlement Shows White America Willingly Pays for White Supremacy," 28 June 2017
Cora is an extraordinary heroine, a woman determined not to let anyone repress her again.

— sarah perry, Philly.com, "'Essex Serpent': Mythical monster, remarkable heroine," 16 June 2017
Cuba’s communist leaders mockingly repressed opposition party leaders and members to the point of almost daring the U.S. to respond.

— NBC News, "Trump and Cuba: Crackdown, But No Breakup," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'repress.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of repress

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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